Step 5 :: Implement the Program

Step 5. Evaluate the Program

C. Develop Evaluation Measures

The following table illustrates the relationship between programs, outcomes, data elements, data sources, and resources.

Programs	Outcomes	Data Elements	Data Sources	Resources
Fluoridation of water supplies	Community water supplies are fluoridated	Number of individuals using fluoridated water supplies	State oral health program	ASTDD: State & Community Practice Examples of Best Practice Approach
Clinical-routine treatment	1. Patients comply with treatment plan	1. Percentage of patients with completed treatment	1. Chart audit	Safety Net Dental Clinic Manual
	2. Patients are satisfied with oral health care	2. Percentage of patients indicating satisfaction with timeliness of appointments, office waiting time, or pain management	2. Patient satisfaction survey
	3. Patients comply with preventive care schedule	3. Percentage of patients in compliance with preventive care schedule	3. Chart audit
Clinical-emergency treatment	1. Patient requests for urgent treatment	1. Number of calls to dental offices for urgent treatment	1. County dental society	Safety Net Dental Clinic Manual
Clinical-emergency treatment	2. Emergency room (ER) visits sought for urgent oral health care	2. Number of ER visits with oral health emergency as presenting problem	2. Hospital data	Safety Net Dental Clinic Manual
School-based fluoride	1. Schools participate in programs	1. Percentage of schools participating in program	1. Department of education/department of health (school health)	ASTDD: State & Community Practice Examples of Best Practice Approach
School-based fluoride	2. Eligible children participate in program	2. Percentage of eligible children participating in program	2. Department of education, department of health (school health)
School-based, school linked dental sealant	1. Population screened/sealed	1. Number of target population screened/sealed	1. Department of education, public heath clinic	National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center
School-based, school linked dental sealant	2. Parents satisfied with program	2. Number of parents satisfied with program	2. Parent satisfaction survey	National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center
Mouth guard programs	1. Mouth guards delivered	1. Number of children engaged in school sports receiving mouth guards	1. School data	Academy for Sports Dentistry
Mouth guard programs		2. Number of children using mouth guards	2. School data	Academy for Sports Dentistry

Program evaluation provides information needed to continually improve the availability, accessibility, and quality of oral health services that, in turn, improve the oral health status of children and families.

The next section of the Guide focuses on the role of oral health policy and research and on how community oral health stakeholders can become involved in shaping policy and conducting research.