"In the face of pressure from dental associations, the University of Washington turned away last week from a historic opportunity to partner with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium to train Alaska Natives to become dental therapists.

Only weeks ago, the dental and medical school deans sent a letter in full support of the program, and in so doing lived up to the university's responsibility to advocate for public health. An embarrassed medical school administrator and faculty from the schools of medicine and dentistry had to explain to Alaska Native leaders and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation why the UW failed to follow through on commitments. Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire has been asked to investigate.

Dental therapists provide care in 42 countries throughout the world, including Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. But they are vigorously opposed by the American Dental Association and its societies in Washington and Alaska. Because of that opposition, the program was planned as part of the medical school physician assistant program."

Get the Story:
Peter Milgrom: UW says no to dental help for Native Alaskans (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 6/29)

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

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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)