Albuquerque Area Dental Support Center Evaluation

Charged with improving oral health outcomes for American Indians/Alaska Natives, the Albuquerque Area Dental Support Center (AADSC) provides training, technical assistance, and other services to dental clinics in the region.

Native American Professional Parent Resources has operated the AADSC with support from the Indian Health Service since 2003. JBA is collaborating with the AADSC to understand the needs of local dental personnel and the communities they serve, including the effects of shifting practices related to COVID-19.

First, the team will conduct a needs assessment, reviewing existing data on area oral health trends and collecting and analyzing new data through focus groups and surveys. Based on the results, we will then design and execute an evaluation to track program implementation and assess progress toward goals and objectives. In partnership with the AADSC, we will—

• Lead the development of an evaluation plan and data collection instruments
• Recruit study participants
• Support AADSC staff with data collection
• Clean and prepare data for analysis
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data
• Report evaluation findings

By using a participatory approach and providing technical assistance, we will also support the development of program staff capacity to conduct evaluation activities.