Facilitators of Successful Programs

There are several facilitators of successful oral health programs in rural communities:

Relationships
Collaborating with different organizations allows for the development of new ideas and resources that benefit oral health programs. Some oral health programs work with a consortium of partners to identify and resolve program challenges.

Program Staff
Successful oral health programs have dedicated and experienced staff, such as dentists and program administrators, who are committed to the success of the program.

Reputation
Having a strong foothold in the community is a major advantage for any organization leading or collaborating in a rural oral health program. Patients may be more receptive to education or outreach activities if they are conducted by an organization that they already know of and trust.

Flexibility
Residents of rural communities experience greater challenges accessing oral healthcare services. People may need to travel a greater distance, taking multiple hours to see a dentist. It is important for oral health programs to offer some flexibility, in the event an individual is late or misses an appointment. This helps to reduce barriers to access.

Commitment
When developing direct service rural oral health programs, it is important to work with providers and other program staff who are committed to working in an underserved area.

Training
Rural programs often train providers and other staff about poverty and other similar issues, with the belief that an understanding of these issues will improve their relationships with the populations they serve. One resource that has been used in rural programs is the Ruby Payne Framework for Understanding Poverty.