A preventive dentistry training program for caretakers of persons with disabilities residing in community residential facilities.

People with disabilities develop more dental disease than the average population and have a harder time accessing and using resources for dental treatment. It is therefore critical to prevent dental problems in this population. This article discusses the development and use of a preventive dentistry training program consisting of a videotape, workbook, instructions for trainers, and pre- and post-tests. The training program was designed to facilitate integration of dental and behavioral information into daily routines. Participants were able to demonstrate that they could learn the information in the training materials using the methodology that was employed. Further work remains to be done to revise and disseminate the materials and to demonstrate that the knowledge that the participants gained can be effectively applied in community care settings.