Outreach Committee
The Outreach Committee is open to all MOHC members interested in activities directly affecting the engagement, of coalition membership as well as the awareness of oral health as a major public health issue. Outreach Committee meets the four Thursday of each month via conference call line. Once you join the committee you will be sent an agenda and call-in information one week prior to each meeting. You may connect with us at any time about agenda items or other related Outreach topics. Join the Outreach Committee
Responsibilities
The committee is not an independent decision-making body. Instead, the group is responsible for gathering information about membership and partner needs and ways to engage the oral health community. They also provide recommendations for engagement activities to the Minnesota Oral Health Coalition Board of Directors quarterly or more often as needed. The work of the committee is guided by the interests and priorities of the Board of Directors, and aligns with the action plan developed by the MOHC each year.
The Outreach Committee provides oversight on matters related to the membership of the organization. The committee shall oversee issues including but not limited to the recruitment, orientation, engagement, and retention of members.
Please contact the Outreach Committee with ideas, recommendations, comments or invitations.
Become a Coalition Member Today!
COLLABORATIVE DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE TOOLKIT MINNESOTA’S 21ST CENTURY DENTAL TEAM

Image used with permission: Normandale Community College
Advancing the role of the dental hygienist to expand the reach of oral health care to vulnerable, underserved, and rural populations.
Made possible through financial support and guidance from the following:
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human services grant funding for the Normandale Community College “Innovative Pathways to Advanced Practice for Dental Hygienists: Meeting the Needs of Minnesota's Underserved Population. (2015)
- Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation
- Minnesota Community Foundation
- 3M Foundation funding for Minnesota Oral Health Coalition website enhancement
Minnesota 21st Century Dental Team Video (3:00)

Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice: What is it?
Everyone deserves to have a “dental home.” A “dental home” need not be a four walls/bricks and mortar building.
Collaborative dental hygiene practice (CDHP) in community settings (Minnesota Statutes 150A.10, Subd. 1a) authorizes Minnesota licensed dental hygienists to practice within a community-focused model resulting in more people with access to preventive services and in finding a dental home. Dental hygienists can effectively provide "coordinated care" to under-resourced populations in non-traditional health care settings.
- The CDHP workforce model was authorized by the Minnesota Legislature in 2001.
- Services may be performed by the dental hygienist without the presence of a dentist and without a prior exam of the patient by a dentist.
The initiative was supported with grant funds from Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation; Minnesota Department of Health; Minnesota Community Foundation. Normandale Community College paved the way following introduction of Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice (CDHP) in Community Settings (2001).
Signing on as a collaborative practice dentist: tangible and intangible benefits.
In addition to increasing access to dental care, entering into a collaborative agreement provides an opportunity to innovate with other dental professionals to create a more sustainable dental delivery system. With collaborative dental hygiene practice models, dental professionals can meet patients where they're at - whether it's in a school, a nursing home, a memory care facility, hospital, etc. As a result, more people will get the care they need. CDHP allows a dentist and dental team to provide services to the community and extend the reach of their work. The tangible benefits to entering into a collaborative agreement will vary depending on organizational structure but could include increased revenue for the dental practice if it is structured that way. The intangible benefits may include increased job satisfaction, brand awareness, and customer/patient loyalty. Dental practices that engage in CDHP with their existing staff could also see intangible benefits in increased employee morale and retention. Utilizing collaborative practice provides a unique opportunity for dental teams to come together with a common purpose and passion to create innovative paths inside dentistry.
Minnesota Statutes (Laws), Rules and Regulations
2022 Minnesota Statutes
150A.10 ALLIED DENTAL PERSONNEL.
Minnesota Statutes 150A.10, subd. 1a (law) that authorizes Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice in Community Settings and describes the community settings in which collaborative practice dental hygienists may provide care.
https://www.minnesotaoralhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/MN-Statute-150A.10.pdf
Minnesota Administrative Rules
CHAPTER 3100, DENTISTS, HYGIENISTS, AND ASSISTANTS
Minnesota Administrative Rules 3100.8700 lists/describes dental hygiene scope of practice/procedures that may be provided by a collaborative practice dental hygienist under general supervision and as outlined in a written collaborative agreement.
Note: Chapter 3100 is a lengthy document. Click the link to download and access Section 3100.8700 pertaining to dental hygienists. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/3100/full#rule.3100.8700
A positive outcome through collective impact

Note: this is a large file; takes time to download.
Key Points Concerning Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice/Collaborative Agreements
- Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice (CDHP) was introduced for community-based, not traditional, dental/dental hygiene practice.
- It is not appropriate, nor necessary, to develop or register a written collaborative agreement in a traditional dental practice setting for staff to expose radiographs or to “see a new patient first”. In doing so, data become skewed regarding community impact of this innovative workforce model.
- Minnesota does not require additional education or a designated credential, e.g., CPDH, to be employed or engaged in Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice (CDHP).
- Although the presence of a dentist or a prior exam of the patient by a dentist is not required, Minnesota Statutes 150A.10, Subd. 1a does not authorize independent dental hygiene practice.
Creating Your Collaborative Agreement: Video Tutorial (17 minutes)
Note: Video download time is dependent on your Internet speed; the video contains audio--turn up your volume; the video auto-advances.
Collaborative Agreement Template
Note:
- The template contains sections that are required per Minnesota Statutes and sections that are recommended as “best practices”.
- The template was reviewed by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry, Minnesota Dental Hygienists'
Association and Minnesota Dental Association
How to Register (or Dissolve) a Collaborative Agreement with the Minnesota Board of Dentistry

COLLABORATIVE DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE “COFFEE TALKS” VIDEOS
(Five videos; 50 minutes total).
Continuing Dental Education (CE):
The Minnesota Board of Dentistry has approved two fundamental credits for participation in the Coffee Talk series. To obtain (no-cost) CE credit:
- print out the objectives/presenter biographies page
- print out and answer the questions related to each video (45 -60 minutes, total). An answer key is provided with each set of questions.
- a printout of the objectives and completed questions will serve as documentation for your professional portfolio.

Closed Captioning (CC) is available within each video.
Coffee Talk Objectives/Presenter Biographies for CE Credit Click HERE

Photo used with permission; Normandale Community College
L to R: Jeanne Anderson, Debra Sidd, Clare Larkin
Coffee Talk 1: State of the Union (8:24)
https://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/1316541/uiconf_id/42809351/entry_id/0_u5zwdgfh/embed/dynamic#coffeetalk1
Coffee Talk 2: Unraveling the Mysteries - Part I (9:37)
https://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/1316541/uiconf_id/35778871/entry_id/0_yfaqvz4t/embed/iframe
Coffee Talk 3: Unraveling the Mysteries - Part II (11:14)
https://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/1316541/uiconf_id/35778871/entry_id/0_dd3lmutz/embed/iframe
Coffee Talk 4: Good News and Addressing Challenges (10:47)
https://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/1316541/uiconf_id/35778871/entry_id/0_5e3ivwlx/embed/iframe
Coffee Talk 5: Looking to the Future (11:18)
https://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/1316541/uiconf_id/35778871/entry_id/1_g9m28tmq/embed/iframe
Collaborative Practice Dental Hygienists in Action
Creating a Dentist-Dental Hygienist Collaborative Relationship: Let’s Smile, Inc. Story
Minnesota’s Dual-Licensed Dental Hygienist/Dental Therapist Model
A Dental Therapist in Long Term Care: Heather Luebben’s Story (2:40)
Apple Tree Dental., Helgeson, M., August 28, 2017
https://tinyurl.com/2jmsnefz
Assessing the State of Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice in Minnesota Report of the Survey of Licensed Dental Hygienists. July 2020
The report was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award to Normandale Community College.
Particularly helpful to new dental hygiene graduates/faculty/staff and licensed dental hygienists/ dentists who are considering this collaborative model of care!
This report is a detailed evaluation plan based on a study originally done in 2003 regarding collaborative dental hygiene practice—just two years after enactment of the law authorizing dental hygiene practice in non-traditional dental settings. The report also details the findings from a statewide survey of licensed dental hygienists in 2019. Read this report to better understand how collaborative dental hygiene practice (CDHP) is being utilized in Minnesota and what dental hygienists in the field had to say sixteen years after the original survey.
MINNESOTA’S 21ST CENTURY DENTAL TEAM
Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This document contains a compilation of valuable questions posed since 2001
pertaining to collaborative dental hygiene practice (CDHP).
Financial Side of Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice
As with any new endeavor, a strong financial/business plan must be explored/created to assure sustainability into the future. Decisions must be made whether to seek grants and/or funding from charitable foundations, to learn what is involved with billing for services provided to Minnesota Public Health Program enrollees, or whether you need to connect with managed care organizations. It is likely that some of your personal capital will be part of the financial equation as you enter into a non-traditional endeavor. The following two presentations will be a great resource for you.
Starting a Non-Profit: 101 Nancy Franke Wilson; Minnesota Oral Health Coalition; video (29.03)
https://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/1316541/uiconf_id/35778871/entry_id/0_052stcn1/embed/auto?&flashvars[streamerType]=auto
Grant Basics: 101 Nancy Franke Wilson; Minnesota Oral Health Coalition; video (1:02:18)
https://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/1316541/uiconf_id/35778871/entry_id/0_052stcn1/embed/auto?&flashvars[streamerType]=auto

Billing and reimbursement for services rendered by a collaborative practice dental hygienist when providing services to Minnesota Health Care Program (Medicaid or MinnesotaCare) enrollees?
Collaborative Practice Dental Hygienists
Overview
Collaborative practice dental hygienists must be employed or retained by one of the following Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP)-enrolled groups:
- Health care facility
- Program (such as Head Start)
- Nonprofit organization
Individual collaborative practice dental hygienists are not eligible for direct MHCP reimbursement.
Individual collaborative practice dental hygienists must enroll with a group affiliation to receive reimbursement at the group level for all dental hygiene services rendered to MHCP enrollees. As part of this process, MHCP requires individual National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) and affiliation with one or more of these enrolled group providers.
- Individual dental hygienists must indicate their group affiliations on their applications.
- Enrolled groups must add their enrolled collaborative practice dental hygienists to their provider file using the Organization MHCP Provider Profile Change Form (DHS-3535A) (PDF).
- Groups not yet enrolled must include individual group members, including collaborative practice dental hygienists.
For collaborative practice dental hygienists providing services to enrollees in a managed care organization (MCO), contact the MCO* for enrollment requirements and coverage.
Covered Services
MHCP reimburses for covered dental services within the scope of practice of the collaborative practice dental hygienist as identified in Minnesota Statutes, 150A.10, subdivision 1a.
Billing
Bill all services completed in a collaborative practice capacity using the following:
- 837D format
- Individual collaborative practice dental hygienist NPI as the rendering provider
- Appropriate health care facility program (such as Head Start), or nonprofit NPI as the pay-to provider (provider who receives the payment)
Additional Resources
Minnesota Statutes, 150A.10, subdivision 1a (collaborative practice authorization for dental hygienists in community settings)
*MCO contacts for MHCP providers
Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) providers can contact the managed care organizations (MCOs) using the phone and fax numbers listed for each MCO. Refer members to health plan member services phone numbers.
Community Collaborative Practice Opportunities
School-based Oral Health Care

School-Based Dental Sealant Programs: Recommendations Children’s Dental Health Project; April 11, 2027
https://tinyurl.com/bdhucd78
School-Based Dental Sealant Programs: Second Edition National Maternal & Child Oral Health Resource Center
A series of modules designed to ensure that school-based dental sealant program staff have a thorough understanding of the history, operations, and underlying principles of this care delivery model.
Seal America: The Prevention Invention National Maternal & Child Oral Health Resource Center
A stepwise approach for planning and implementing school-based dental sealant programs.

Seal Minnesota: Minnesota Department of Health Oral Health Program

Image Credit: Minnesota Department of Health; Oral Health Program Newsletter: February 2023
https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/oralhealth/programs/sealmn.html
Head Start Dental Hygienist Liaison Project

Cathy Jo Gunvalson, LDH, BSDH (left) ADHA Dental Hygiene Liaison (DHL)-MN (Photo used with permission)
A Guide to the Dental Periodicity Schedule and Oral Exam
Special Care Dentistry/Special Populations

Photo credit: Special Olympics: How to Dental Videos; Adapt a Toothbrush
https://resources.specialolympics.org/health/special-smiles/how-to-dental-videos
Special Care: An Oral Health Professional’s Guide to Serving Children with Special Health Care Needs Second Edition; Series of five modules
TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING SPECIAL CARE DENTISTRY INTO DAILY PRACTICE