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September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM September 2009 Monthly Report
Early this month we had the privilege of hosting visitors from Canada on a tour through our training center.
The Summer Quarter came to an end and the Fall Quarter began with: ANTHC Professionalism Course
My name is Daniel B. Kennedy and I was born on a couch in a Cannery Bunkhouse November 20, 1959 in Klawock, AK. I grew up here majority of my childhood but also in Seattle, WA. I have attended many colleges and worked many types of jobs. My last position prior to entering DHAT training was as a full-time dental assistant in Juneau, and I transferred to Klawock in 2006. During the 1st year of DHAT training my most favorite class was Pathology. We started classes in a warehouse, then moved into the actual training clinic in the spring of 2007. This is a great clinical setup with a great classroom. The most challenging part of all the clinical segments in the 1st year for me was drilling a preparation on a plastic tooth. It is not the same as a real tooth. The last year of school is based in Bethel, AK. The Instructors at the Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic were absolutely great. They taught us so much in the time we were there. To this day I use their notes to help me with my operative procedures. One of my most relaxing moments in Bethel was picking the great tasting blueberries that were so abundant by the dorm. It was also fantastic that one of the studentÕs relatives took us out gillnet fishing and we were able to catch some really large king salmon. So that fall and winter we ate great with all the salmon that was so available for us. I want to thank everyone that was involved with setting up this wonderful Dental Health Aid Therapist Program and that it allowed me to return to my hometown where I can now really help with everyoneÕs Dental Care.
For more information, contact Dr. Mary Williard, DENTEX Clinical Site Director;
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ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM August 2009 Monthly Report
Anjanette Norton, Erik Linduska, Alison Kaganak, Corrina Cadzow, Senator Murkowski, Chelsea Shoemaker. DENTEX Staff: Rachel Schierholt and Mary Anaruk. Floor left to right : Dr. Sarah Shoffstall, Phylicia Wilde, and Ferdella Sharp. Anchorage - DENTEX - DHAT 1st year Student activities included: * Operative Dentistry Pictured to below is Senator Mark Begich with our students/staff as named above.
* Site visit by Dr. Louis Fiset from the University of Washington * Yuut Elitnaurviat, The People's Learning Center Grand Opening for the new Technical Education and Support Services (TESS) Building on: 8-11-09
Dr. Gregory Todd Smith, National Periodontal Consultant for the I.H.S., returned to teach 1st Year DHAT students how to do dental cleanings. Dr. Smith has traveled to Anchorage every year since we opened our program. He teaches the students the same course he designed for expanded function dental assistants in I.H.S. clinics. We deeply appreciate his commitment to excellence and willingness to share his knowledge and expertise with our students and faculty. He works and lives in Phoenix, Arizona at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center.
For more information, contact Dr. Mary Williard, DENTEX Clinical Site Director;
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ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM July 2009 Monthly Report
Pictured here is Dr. Brusca working with Phylicia Wilde from Mt. Village.
Pictured below is Dr. Weinstein observing Bernadette Charles and Marian Petla with a patient.
Dr. Robert Allen
Dr. Robert Allen is a favorite with the students and staff in the program especially at our Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic in Bethel where he is not only an instructor but also a mentor to staff, other instructors and students. He has lived in Bethel for more than 30 years, during which time he and his wife have raised 5 children. He served for many years as the Dental Director of the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation Dental Clinic, and continues to work part-time as a staff Dentist there. YKHC is the second largest tribal dental program in the State of Alaska. He also serves as a Western Regional Examining Board Dental Examiner. Community activities include administrative activities in the Bethel Moravian Church. Even though Dr. Bob retired from the Indian Health Service after 30 years of service, he is busier than ever. He has even managed to work in a few trips to Vietnam to provide outreach dental care for needy populations there. In his free time you might find him on the softball field in Bethel, where he has played and managed Dr. Bob's softball team since 1983. Wherever you find him, you will usually notice he has a couple cameras with him, always an avid amateur photographer.
For more information, contact Dr. Mary Williard, DENTEX Clinical Site Director;
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ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM June 2009 Monthly Report
From left to right are Dr. Bolin, Ferdella Sharp, Phylicia Wilde, Chelsea Shoemaker, Bonnie Johnson and Anjanette Norton.
Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic The students were on Summer Break from Monday, June 1, through Friday, July 3. The students returned home during the break to spend time with friends and family. The Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic was closed from June 16 to June 26, as Kathy Balasko was out of the office during that time. For more information, contact Dr. Mary Williard, DENTEX Clinical Site Director;
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ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM May 2009 Monthly Report
and Dr. Shoffstall supervising the injection of local anesthetic. During May students had a very busy month working on their clinical skills such as Local Anesthetics and continuing to practice their restorations. They also spent time getting familiar with dental handpieces. Tooth anatomy review has been ongoing. The month ended with Dr. Anthony Bolin Assistant Professor and Assistant Director Dental Public Health Residency Program, Baylor College of Dentistry coming up to teaching Cariology and Atraumatic Restorative Technique.
Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic - Second Year Activities
The students settled into the new Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic (YEDTC) during the month of May. The students describe the new clinic as spacious and comfortable. They like the new classroom, as it is much larger than the previous one, and has a wonderful view of Bethel and the tundra. The students also express pleasure in knowing that they will be here permanently and that this is "their" space. As a result, they have been setting-up the operatories, and arranging and re-arranging various rooms when not treating patients. Approximately 100 patients received care during the month; providing the students with a variety of dental experiences. The students are progressing in their training, and have started performing more complicated restorative procedures. During these clinical encounters, they benefit from the close supervision of Dr. Allen and Dr. Brusca.
The students will be on Summer Break from Monday, June 1, through Friday, July 3. The students will be returning home during the break to spend time with friends and family. NOTE: The Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic will be closed from June 16 to June 26, as Kathy Balasko will be out of the office during that time. For more information, contact Dr. Mary Williard, DENTEX Clinical Site Director;
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ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM April 2009 Monthly Report
Erik Linduska, front row: Ferdella Sharp, Bonnie Johnson, Chelsea Shoemaker and Phylicia Wilde. During April, classes were held on the study of the Development of Head, Neck & Face Anatomy with Dr. Kathy Rafferty from the University of Washington. Basic Restorative Functions was the next class taught by Dr. Ron Nagel. Students practiced their techniques performing amalgam fillings on their learn-a-preps. Oral Pathology taught by Dr. Bea Gandara is a favorite with the students as they learned how to use an intraoral camera, to take pictures of oral tissues, and examine patients for lymph nodes and become familiar with doing a Students are now studying Local Anesthesia, being taught by both Dr. Shoffstall and Dr. Williard. They are Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic - Second Year Activities April was a whirl at the Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic. The YEDTC staff office and clinic moved into the Yuut Elitnaurviat Technical Education and Support Services (TESS) Building on the Yuut Elitnaurviat Campus at the end of last month and finalized the move this month. The new training clinic has a reception area, classroom, staff office, sterilization room, clinical laboratory, four open operatories (pictured below), and one closed operatory.
For more information, contact Dr. Mary Williard, DENTEX Clinical Site Director;
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ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM March 2009 Monthly Report
March found the students completing their General Health Science classes and preparing for their final exams. Infection control classes were taught by Stephanie Olson of the UAA Dental Assisting Program on Mondays this month. Spring break was held March 23 - 27th, and students returned to start the spring quarter on March 30th. The recent volcanic eruptions did hamper some students return trips with a couple missing part of the first week. Spring quarter began by using modeling clay to help learn dental anatomy. The students also began working with dental handpieces on tooth prep simulation blocks. Clinical patients will be seen so student can practice dental exams, X-rays, sealants and fluoride varnish application.
and clinic in Bethel. Left to right are Bernadette Charles, Ooyuan Nagaruk, Tatiana Barraclough, Tambre Guido, Ben Steward and in front: Marian Petla. The month of March marks the end of the first quarter at the Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic (YEDTC), as well as the close of our temporary training site in the Bethel Native Corporation office complex. The YEDTC operated out of the temporary site since January 2008, when the first DHAT students arrived in Bethel for classes. The new training site, Yuut Elitnaurviat's Technical Education and Support Services Building, is located next to the student dorms in Bethel. During the first two weeks of March, Dr. K. Anthony Bolin from Texas provided instruction and clinical supervision for the students. During the second two weeks, March 16 - 27 students were on Spring Break. Dr. Bolin provided the students with numerous relevant journal articles to read and discuss in class. Topics reviewed included sealants, resin-based restorations, and ethics. He also had the students complete various restorations on their typodonts when they were not directly involved with patient care. While on their Spring Break, Tammy Guido and Marian Petla assisted YKHC dental staff during the annual Smile Alaska Style event on Saturday, March 28th. This event is held each year in conjunction with the Camai Dance Festival. Both students enjoyed the opportunity to work with YKHC and the festival. Dr. Robert Allen returned as the clinical instructor on March 30th, and will work with the students until April 17th. For more information, contact Dr. Mary Williard, DENTEX Clinical Site Director;
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ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM February 2009 Monthly Report
parents Tom and Vivian Baker, and student Bonnie Johnson examining baby Dayotak Baker. Dr. Phil Weinstein was here introducing the students to disease prevention, community dentistry and behavioral sciences. A key to his technique is familiarizing young children with the dental environment and demonstrating the dental office is a friendly place. Working in non-traditional ways, such as with this child in the waiting room while he stays in his carrier is a way to begin working with kids in a comfortable setting and a non-threatening way. Daykotak was happy and interactive even when having fluoride applied to his first erupting teeth.
Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic - Second Year Activities
Dr. Brusca completed his rotation as the first clinical instructor the first week of February. The second instructor, Dr. Robert Allen, had an opportunity to overlap with Dr. Brusca during that first week. This overlap proved to be beneficial, as both instructors were able to critique the students' performance at the same time, helping to establish reliability between the instructors. These overlaps have been scheduled for the remainder of the year as instructors rotate in and out of the Bethel Clinic. As with last year, many patients are seeking care here at the clinic. The students have been treating one or two patients daily. The services provided range from preventive care to uncomplicated tooth extractions. Patients are expressing sincere appreciation for the care they receive. The students are also appreciating the patients, as the appointments can be quite lengthy. The students have been continuing their Community Project activities. Marian Petla and Bernadette Charles attended a Parent /Teacher meeting at the Head Start on February 23rd to talk with parents about the DHAT program and the services provided to the Head Start students. Tambre Guido and Ooyuan Nagaruk visited the Pre-Maternal Home for the first time this year on February 24th. They provided preventive services and oral hygiene education to the expectant mothers, as well as information on how to keep their baby's mouth healthy. Both visits, to the Head Start and the Pre-Maternal Home, were well received by the participants, and the students enjoyed getting out into the community. Bernadette Charles and Ben Steward participated in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation's (YKHC) Career Pathways Brown-Bag Luncheon at the Bethel Regional High School on February 25th. They were part of a panel discussion targeting dental careers. The other panelists were a dentist, a dental hygienist, and a dental assistant from YKHC. In addition to all of the other end of month activities, Dr. Louis Fiset from the University of Washington conducted his first site visit of the year from February 24th to February 26th. He met with each of the students individually to discuss their training progress, sat in on morning lectures, and observed the students interactions with patients. He will give a report on his observations to the faculty and staff after he returns to Seattle. For more information, contact Dr. Mary Williard, DENTEX Clinical Site Director;
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ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL HEALTH CONSORTIUM January 2009 Monthly Report
Chelsea Shoemaker, Sand Point, Anjanette Norton, Kotzebue, Erik Lunduska, King Cove, Bottom row: Ferdella Sharp, Manakotak, Phyilicia Wilde, Mountain Village and Bonnie Johnson, Unakleet. School started with a 5 day Pre-session course. Some of the topics covered were: study skills, medical terminology, review of anatomy and physiology, BLS certification, library skills, technical writing skills and professional role development. The students jumped right in and demonstrated the energy and willingness to learn all they could.
We also welcomed UW's Dr. Phillip Weinstein back at the end of January as he taught the principles of his course on Community Based Dental Prevention Projects. Dr. Weinstein's course guides the students as they learn motivational interviewing techniques which help immensely in working with children, and their community projects such as Head Start.
Dental Health Aide Therapy training classes started for the second year at the Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic in Bethel, Alaska on January 12, 2009. Six students made the transition from the first year of training in Anchorage to the second year in Bethel. The students are Tatiana Barraclough from Atka, Bernadette Charles from Mountain Village, Tambre Guido from Anchorage, Ooyuan Nagaruk from Elim, Marian Petla from New Stuyahok, and Ben Steward from Seward. The first week of student instruction consisted of orientation to the training clinic, dental materials, forms, and student evaluation methods. On Sunday, January 18, the students had the opportunity to participate in "Mushing for Brushing". This is the second year that the students assisted with this dental promotional event that is conducted during the Bogus Creek 150 dog sled race. The Bogus Creek 150 is held in conjunction with the Kuskokwim 300. The first dental patients for this class were scheduled on Wednesday, January 21st. The students completed dental exams and treatment plans as well as provided oral hygiene instruction to primarily young children. During the second week of classes, one of the two Head Start teachers called to ask if the new students would be continuing the Community Project started last year at the Bethel Head Start. She wanted the students to visit the school as soon as possible to provide screening exams and preventive services, such as fluoride varnish and Povidone-Iodine. The students were able to visit both the morning and afternoon classes of Head Start during the third week of training to provide services. The students enjoyed this experience and look forward to continuing the program throughout the year. Dr. Anthony Brusca, a general dentist from Arizona, is the first of three instructors providing clinical instruction in Bethel this year. His primary focus is Local Anesthesia, Dental Anatomy, and Diagnosis and Treatment Planning. Four of the six students are staying at the Yuut Elitnaurviat dormitory and all six of the students seem to have integrated themselves into the Bethel community. The weather has been quite mild here this January, so the students do not seem to be overwhelmed by the ice, wind, and snow. However, classes were delayed during the first week due to rain on the icy roads. Our second instructor, Dr. Robert Allen, will start his clinical rotation with the students on February 5th. Dr. Allen's primary focus of instruction will be Primary and Permanent Tooth Extraction. For more information, contact Dr. Mary Williard, DENTEX Clinical Site Director;
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