Bonnie JohnsonBased in Emmonak, AK
Based in Nome, AK
Employed by Norton Sound
Growing up in rural Alaska, good dental hygiene was installed in my family, for the simple reason, “We don’t always have a dentist to take care of you if you get a tooth ache.” Brushing and flossing were part of our nightly routine. Today I realize that dental hygiene is often lacking largely due to the fact that good dental hygiene is learned and if not understood can be detrimental. I am a dental therapist based in Nome, I see patients from all over the Bering Straits region and travel to the villages of St. Michael and Stebbins. Along with placing sealants and doing fillings I spend time educating children on proper brushing and flossing and how to avoid decay. Education is a stepping-stone to a better dental future.