ORAL HEALTH PEER WORKER APPROACH AT REGION OF WATERLOO PUBLIC HEALTH

Jan Herbison, Dental Manager June 2014

Background

"Region of Waterloo Public Health uses the "peer-led approach to increase the capacity of individuals and communities to improve their health, both physically and socially." (ROWPH, Fuller, 2004).

Oral Health Peer Workers

• Facilitate enrollment into Healthy Smiles Ontario and assist clients to access care

• Provide oral health promotion • Partnership with three Community

Health Centers (CSC) Kitchener Downtown Community

Health Centre Langs Woolwich Community Health Centre

Peer workers have a good understanding of oral

health priority populations and the experience in how to connect with these

populations

• Peer workers are recruited and hired by the CHCs • Participate in a 13 week Region of Waterloo Public

Health Peer training program • Mentored by a Public Health Dental Hygienist • Submit quarterly and year-end reports to public

health

Recruitment & Training

• Promote Healthy Smiles Ontario and community dental services

• Assist clients to complete the HSO application • Facilitate client access to dental services • Promote oral health/skill and knowledge building through

presentations and resources • Provide outreach to the population served by the CHC

Oral Health Peer Worker Role

Kitchener Downtown Community Health Center

"In the Kitchener Waterloo area, clients who may be eligible to apply

for HSO benefits are not easy to identify. The KW area does not have

easily identifiable areas of population where outreach could occur. These clients are from all

ethnic groups, aboriginal communities etc. and live and work

throughout the community."

Stephen Gross, Director of Client Services

Rula and Sue

Woolwich Community Health Centre

"Woolwich CHC identifies several priority populations including low income families which includes a

population of Low German Mennonite families. Our partnership

with Region of Waterloo Public Health has provided outreach to

these populations to facilitate access to oral health promotion, education,

and preventative services."

Lynda Kohler, Program Coordinator

Langs Community Health Centre

"Building on our organizational peer model, the Oral Health Peer Worker

provides outreach to families, supporting their journey and

navigation of programs and services related to oral health."

Kerry-Lynn Wilkie, Health Link Director

Local Impact

Thank you

Disclosure of Commercial Support CFPC Conflict of Interest

Presenter Disclosure Presenter: Jan Herbison Relationships with commercial interests: • Grants/Research Support: None • Speakers Bureau/Honoraria: None • Consulting Fees: None • Other: None