1. Dental Hygienist Liaison Orientation
Regional DHL Notes:
DHL applicant briefly reviews the DHL webpage [ and DHL At-A-Glance Activity Guide (posted on webpage).
If the applicant is still interested, the regional DHL schedules an orientation call with the DHL applicant.
The RDHL should send the applicant a link to the DHL webpage prior to the call.
A link to this orientation PPT is posted on the webpage, where the applicant can download it.
If applicant accepts the position, the regional DHL sends DHL contact information to
Full name and credentials
Best contact phone number
Best address
Michelle adds DHL contact information to roster and listserv.
Prepared by: Michelle Landrum, R.D.H., M.Ed.
Revised: December 20, 2017

2. Role of the State Dental Hygienist Liaison
The state dental hygienist liaison (DHL) is recognized as an early childhood oral health leader and advocate in their state. The DHL works in a voluntary capacity, and their primary functions are to:
Serve as a communication link between NCECHW and early-childhood-education programs on topics related to improving the oral health of pregnant women, infants, and children
Collaborate with state organizations and networks, including the state oral health program, the Head Start state collaboration office (HSSCO), and child care agencies
Promote evidence-based and evidence-informed oral health information and materials

3. Examples of State DHL Activities
Present at local and/or state Head Start–related and child- care-related meetings, as requested (reviewed in later slides)
Attend state and/or local Head Start–related and child- care-related meetings (e.g., state Head Start association conference, local Head Start health services advisory meeting)
Share information about NCECHW-produced resources (e.g., Brush Up on Oral Health) and other resources approved by federal steering committee with key stakeholders
Offer strategies for accessing oral health care for pregnant women and children

4. Minimum Requirements for DHLs
Maintain ADHA membership (stipend can be used toward this)
Respond to requests in a timely manner (see notes)
View DHL webinars
Webinars are archived for DHLs unable to attend live webcasts
Share NCECHW oral health resources
Submit quarterly reports in January, April, July, and October (reviewed in later slide)
Submission of DHL stipend request is highly encouraged (reviewed in later slide)
Notes:
The DHL does not have to fulfill all requests personally; however, it the DHL’s responsibility to connect the requestor to dental professionals and/or resources to ensure their needs are met.

5. Federal Regional State Local
Office of Head Start
Office of Child Care
Maternal and Child Health Bureau
National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness
Funded by the Office of Head Start (75%), the Office of Child Care (22%), and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (3%)
Provides resources, training, and technical assistance to the child care and Head Start communities on health-related topics (health literacy, physical health, mental health, nutrition, oral health, and injury and tobacco prevention)
Led by the American Academy of Pediatrics in collaboration with several national organizations
Oral health component supported by the Office of Head Start (75%) and the Office of Child Care (25%)
National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center (manages the development and distribution of resources, provides training and technical assistance, and oversees subcontract to Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors [ASTDD])
ASTDD manages DHL project
Federal
10 Head Start Offices
Regions I through X
Region XI: American Indian/Alaska Native children and their families
Region XII: Migrant and seasonal farmworker children and their families
10 Child Care Offices
Regional
54 Head Start Collaboration Offices
56 Child Care and Development Fund Administrators
State
Head Start Grantees
Each grantee oversees multiple sites
Each grantee has a health manager
Local

6. Orientation to the DHL Webpage
Log on to the ASTDD DHL webpage
DHL Roster
Current roster of state DHLs and regional dental hygiene liaison coordinators
Important note: The DHL listserv is the primary means of communication. DHLs receive updates and reminders, and can send messages to all DHLs via the listserv
Year 3 Work Plan: Dental Hygienist Liaison Project (see notes*)
DHL At-A-Glance Activity Guide (see notes**)
Regional DHL Notes:
The remainder of the orientation will follow the sequence of the DHL webpage. Please have the DHL go to the webpage at this time.
DHL webpage hyperlink:
*Year 3 Workplan: The year 3 workplan is outlined in further detail in the beginning of the December 2017 webinar titled Brush, Book, Bed – The Importance of Bed Time Routines
**DHL At-A-Glance Activity Guide: The prospective DHL should have reviewed the guide prior to the orientation call. These activities will be reviewed later in the presentation when you discuss the DHL quarterly report.

7. Orientation to the DHL Webpage (cont’d)
Contacts for introduction with key groups (see notes*):
HSSCO director
State Head Start Association (HSA) director
Holds annual conferences where many DHLs are asked to present on oral health
Head Start regional health specialist
State oral health coalition
State oral health program director
State Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) administrators
Regional DHL Notes:
* The most important role of the DHL is to connect and collaborate with key stakeholders, so they know who to contact with an oral health problem/request. The first step is to introduce yourself (via or phone) and explain your DHL role in the State. Suggestions: 1) Attach the March 2016 issue of the Brush Up on Oral Health newsletter (discussed later) which explains the DHL’s role. 2) Forward Brush Up on Oral Health to these key stakeholders each month as a way to stay connected.
Orientation notes for the regional DHLs:
Explain the primary function of the HSSCO (funded by OHS and facilitates partnerships b/w HS programs and other state entities), SOHP, state HSA (membership based), HS regional health specialist, state oral health coalition, and CCDF Administrators (Office of Child Care state contacts).
Discuss how the HSSCO and/or HSA may be able to provide the DHL with a distribution list of all the EHS/HS programs in the state, so he/she can easily forward oral health resources (e.g., Brush Up and other new releases).

8. Orientation to the DHL Webpage (cont’d)
Other web links for additional information
Early Head Start/Head Start Program Locator
Important tool for finding Early Head Start/Head Start grantees and/or program by state, county, or city
EPSDT Dental Periodicity Schedules by State (see notes*)
NCECHW (see notes**)
NCECHW—Oral Health web page
Approved resources for DHLs (see notes)***
Regional DHL Notes:
Ask the DHL to click on the HS Program Locator link and walk them through how to use it.
*Explain that the the Head Start program Performance Standards (reviewed on next slide) incorporate requirements of the state’s EPSDT (Medicaid) standards. DHLs can use this link to research the oral health EPSDT standards in their state (at a later time).
**Explain that the NCECHW focuses on the following domains: mental health, nutrition, oral health, physical health, safety practices, and health services management.
***Ask the DHL to click on the NCECHW – Oral Health webpage and highlight the ‘Oral Health Resources for Staff’ and the ‘Oral Health Resources for Families’ tabs. Explain that the resources on this webpage (e.g., Brush Up on Oral Health newsletters, Healthy Habits for Happy Smiles handouts, etc.) have been vetted by the federal steering committee and are the only resources that DHLs should share with programs and other stakeholders when serving in their DHL role (also reviewed in a later slide).

9. Orientation to the DHL Webpage (cont’d)
Resource Materials
NCECHW DHL approved presentations (review on later slide)
AAP oral health policy statements (for reference)
Brush Up on Oral Health (see notes*)
Head Start Early Childhood Knowledge and Learning Center (ECKLC) is the Office of Head Start website
Head Start Program Performance Standards relevant to oral health (see notes**)
Head Start Program Information Reports (PIR) (see notes***)
Understanding Head Start PIR data
Access to PIR data
Reginal DHL Notes:
To save time, most of the resources here should be reviewed in detail on the DHL’s own time.
Ask the DHL to click on the Brush Up on Oral Health newsletter link, and
Subscribe to the newsletter at a later time (link provided on this webpage)
Share Brush Up on Oral Health each month with their key stakeholders, EHS/HS grantees, and others (their distribution list will grow as they become more connected in their state).
Open the March 2016 issue on DHLs and read this at a later time. Note: It is recommended to share this issue with their introduction s (see previous slide).
3. **Explain that every HS grantee must follow the Head Start Program Performance Standards. There are specific Performance Standards for oral health, and DHLs are often contacted when a grantee is struggling to meet one of more of these standards. Therefore, it is important for the DHL to read the HS Oral Health Program Performances Standards soon after accepting their position. They can contact their regional DHL or Michelle Landrum if they have any questions. Important Note: The DHL should never try to interpret or advise a HS program on the Performance Standards. It is the HS program’s responsibility to contact their HSSCO or regional office if they have a question related to the standards.
4. ***Each grantee measures their performance by submitting a Program Information Report (PIR) to the Office of Head Start each year. There are specific measures related to oral health, which are outlined in Understanding Head Start Program Information Report Data. DHLs can access PIR data for their state or a specific program by following the Access to Program Information Reports (PIR Data) link. Note: They will need to request access by ing the HSES help desk ( address found towards the bottom of the page).

10. Orientation to the DHL Webpage (cont’d)
Resource Materials (cont’d)
DHL webinars—held quarterly and archived (see notes*)
Strategies to Increase the Impact of State DHLs (July 2017)
Important webinars for new DHLs to view (see notes**):
Brush, Book, Bed – The Importance of Bed Time Routines (December 2017)
Strategies to Increase the Impact of State DHLs (July 2017)
Health Managers Networks/DHL Oral Health Presentations (May 2016)
Welcome to the New National Center on Early Childhood Oral Health and Wellness (December 2015)
Regional DHL Notes:
Announcements of upcoming DHLs webinars are posted on the DHL listserv. If the DHL is not able to attend a live webinar, they should view the archived version shortly after it is released because they often contain important information and updates related to the DHL project.
** Important webinars:
Brush, Book, Bed – The Importance of Bed Time Routines (December 2017)
Beginning of webinar reviews updates to the DHL quarterly report form
Strategies to Increase the Impact of State DHLs (July 2017)
Provides information on how to increase DHL collaboration, the EPSDT well-child schedule and the dental periodicity schedule, the difference between an oral examination and an oral health screening, and NCECHW oral health resources and presentations. DHLs' administrative responsibilities are also discussed.
Health Managers Networks/DHL Oral Health Presentations (May 2016)
Second half of webinar contains important information on approved NCECHW oral presentations for DHLs
Welcome to the New National Center on Early Childhood Oral Health and Wellness (December 2015)
Provides overview of NCECHW, the DHL position, and how to complete quarterly reports and stipend requests
Important Note: The regional DHL coordinator assignments and the DHL quarterly report form have changed since release of this webinar

11. Orientation to the DHL Webpage (cont’d)
Forms
DHL Quarterly Report of Activities Form (see notes*)
Click here to view preview of form
DHL quarterly reports are due on January 7, April 7, July 7, and October 7
DHL Stipend Request Form (see notes**)
Expense Reimbursement Form
Use for NCECHW request for state, regional, or national meetings or presentations
Meeting Report Form
Notes:
Instructions for the DHL quarterly report and stipend request form are included in the Welcome to the New National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (Dec 2015) webinar. However, it is important to review the following during the orientation:
Ask the DHL to open the preview link to DHL quarterly report form (hyperlink:
Stress the importance of:
It is recommended to use the DHL quarterly report tracking form throughout each quarter because the report must be completed and submitted in one sitting (i.e., it cannot be saved)
Question #3 – select their regional DHL coordinator
Question #4 – select the correct quarter. Note: If a DHL did not report any activity in a previous quarter that they now want to report, they still need to select the current quarter
Question #5 –
Review the categories and examples of activities under each category (recommend using the DHL At-A-Glance Activity Guide for reference)
Remind the DHL to only report activities that were fulfilled as part of their DHL role – not activities that were part of their full- or part-time job (discussed in the December 2015 webinar)
If no activities were performed in a quarter, the DHL should still submit a quarterly report and select “No activities this quarter” box
DHLs do not have to complete activities under all 5 categories. However, once they have completed at least 1 activity in 2 of the categories, they should submit their stipend request
Question #6 –
For each category selected in question 5, the DHL should share at least one example in the corresponding text box in question 6. If direct services were provided, list the target audience (e.g., pregnant women, children) and number of persons served. If they did not carry out activities in a particular category, leave the text box blank.
Question #8 –
Only answer yes if presentation was an approved NCECHW presentations that was accessed from the DHL webpage (see next slide)
Question #9 –
If the DHL answered “yes” in question #8, complete all fields according to the directions provided.
Question #10 –
Answer yes if the DHL attended any meetings, webinars, or CEs related to their DHL role
Question #11 -
If the DHL answered “yes” in question #10, complete all fields according to the directions provided.
**Ask the DHL to open the stipend request form and review the instructions. Please also note:
Examples of how to use the stipend are discussed in the Dec webinar
It is important that DHLs submit a stipend because if we do not spend all our money it jeopardizes future funding
The request form should ed in Word format (not PDF) to The subject line of the should follow the following format “Stipend Request- your name”

12. NCECHW Oral Health Resources and Presentations
Guidelines
Having consistent messaging and sharing current, evidence-based or evidence-informed information is extremely important to NCECHW
NCECHW asks that DHLs share only approved resources and use only approved presentations
Approved resources can be found on the NCECHW Oral Health (ECKLC) web pages
The link to the approved presentations is provided on the DHL webpage under ‘Resource Materials’ (see notes*)
RDHL Notes:
Hyperlink to DHL drop box:
Hyperlink to NCECHW Oral Health page:

13. Contact Information
DHL Project Lead: Michelle Landrum
National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness
Phone: (888)
Website: