CHC Planning Guide 2017 - 8

Guidance & Expertise from CHC Dental Leaders
This manual does not and cannot comprehend the legal nuances of different states or cities which impact
construction and operation of a dental clinic, which is why you need an attorney for such guidance and you
should not proceed with construction until all legal approvals from governing bodies have been received.
However, we are going to help you identify key elements in hopes of helping you with most ideal outcomes and
avoiding setbacks and underestimates of project investment.

Needs Assessment
The segment of the population whom you will serve, or your target population, is typically dictated by the
demographics of your service area. The oral health care needs of low income, minority, rural, migrant worker,
refugee, and other vulnerable population groups are often much greater than those of the general population.
How you will specifically address those needs will depend on which of these groups predominate in your region
and the specific challenges they face.
CHC dental patients are not only likely to have greater dental disease management needs but may have a more
complex combination of health conditions. You may gain insight on health issues as typically policy requires
dental patients to register as community health center (medical) patients of record first.
In conjunction with a focus on underserved populations, many community health programs also consider how
they can attract the entire neighborhood and include patients with insurance and other payment resources to
bolster revenue and maintain financial sustainability. In doing so, the goal is always to make sure such additions
do not negatively impact care access for those with no resources.
To support one full-time employed (FTE) dentist, you can reasonably allow for a minimum of 3,000 underserved
patients who live within a 3-mile radius of the proposed facility location or 5,000 underserved patients within a
5-mile radius. That ratio should assure sufficient patient participation to keep a full-time clinician busy. Private
clinicians frequently support their practice on fewer base patients, but due to the complexities and demands we
see in underserved populations, calculating clinic viability on a larger patient base provides for a more realistic
expectation for success.
As we proceed through this manual we will discuss not only how your clinic can assure effective delivery of care
to the underserved, but how the design can support a mission to be a 'provider of choice' for everyone in your
service area.

Who is Your Service Population (Target Population)?
* Ethnic diversity: which cultures and groups need your services? How will you design not only a facility but a
service delivery model that comprehends sensitivity to cultural beliefs and possible language barriers?
* Geographic service area: note most people will use your office if they live within 5 miles of its location.
Unless you are in a very rural location, an estimated 70% of your patients will live within 3 miles of
your facility.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CHC Planning Guide 2017