ASDOH students treat Alaska natives

In June 2009, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH) students joined New York University College of Dentistry in a collaboration to improve the health of individuals in remote areas of Alaska. Students traveled to Fort Yukon and Venetie, both located above the Arctic Circle, to provide treatment and oral health education to parents and children and to experience caring for vulnerable populations in small, remote communities. More than 100 pediatric visits were provided in five days. Fifty-one percent of children had dental carries, 25 percent more than the national average. In Venetie, children had not been seen by a dentist in three years.

“I think the most notable experience was working with native people and sharing in their way of life,” said Maureen Romer, D.D.S., M.P.A., associate professor and director, Special Care Dentistry, ASDOH. “Staff and students flew in small bush planes and slept on the floor in a school house, which was the only building that had running water.”

ASDOH students will revisit Alaska in spring 2010 to continue providing oral healthcare. Highlights of the outreach project can be viewed at www.nyu.edu/dental/outreach/index.html.