Learning to Lead: Teens Connect Community to Oral Health Care

Two programs, two states, and one goal: engaging a younger generation to help people in their communities get access to oral health care.

With the help of a CareQuest Institute grant, New Mainers Public Health Initiative (NMPHI) in Maine and Kids In Need of Dentistry (KIND) in Colorado engaged junior community health workers (CHW) and promotoras to help individuals in their communities access and learn about oral health. 

“I was telling people what our community did — helping kids get insurance about their teeth and stuff like that,” explains Victoria, a KIND junior promotora. “And I also handed out flyers, so people can call us or text us if they wanted to get insurance because my mom also helps with that.” 

“I feel like it was easier when someone’s my age because they’re more likely to listen to me,” says Iqra, a junior CHW with NMPHI. 

In Maine, several dental practices and clinics have shut down — leaving many without a dental home. And across the US, approximately 72 million adults (27%) do not have dental insurance, according to CareQuest Institute’s latest State of Oral Health Equity in America survey. 

“It was really crazy that some kids don't brush their teeth, or some kids just can't afford to go to the dentist,” says Josefa, a KIND junior promotora. “And that was really shocking for me.” 

As the kids are educating the community, they're learning a lot, too. 

“Victoria and I really enjoyed being promotoras because we get to connect with the community a lot, and it gave us some skills that we didn't have before becoming promotoras,” Josefa says. 

See the work and impact these teenagers have on their communities in this video: