"Recently, the University of Washington's Medical School and Dental School were asked to train health aides to provide dental surgery for Native Alaskans. High school graduates would receive two years training in preventive care but the proposal also requested they be trained to perform dental surgeries, such as extractions, drilling and filling cavities and performing root canals.

The dean of the medical school, joined by the dean of the university's dental school, wisely declined to support training to perform these more complex surgical procedures. They have agreed to provide training in preventive care, including nutrition counseling, performing cleanings and applying fluoride applications and sealants. The university's president supports that decision.

Their reasons are straightforward, as these surgical procedures, and their possible risks, require the comprehensive training provided to dental students in a four-year doctoral degree program.

While improved dental care for remote villages in Alaska is needed, patients' safety must be assured. What, then, are the alternatives to this proposal?"

Get the Story:
Dan G. Middaugh: UW puts safety of Alaskan Natives first (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 7/11)

Health Care Bill:
Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2005 (S.1057)

Relevant Links:
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium - http://www.anthc.org
American Dental Association - http://www.ada.org

Related Stories:
Dentists drop opposition to Alaska Native program (06/30)
Opinion: School won't train Native dental aides (6/29)
Dentist hailed demise of Alaska Native culture (04/14)
Lawsuit filed to stop Alaska Native dental aides (02/01)
Alaska dental care program stirs controversy (11/23)
Senate panel advances Indian health care measure (10/28)
Senate committee takes up slate of Indian bills (10/27)
Hearing on Indian Health Care Improvement Act (07/13)
Dental program seeks to help rural Alaska Natives (01/11)