Finding A Native American Dentist Is Rare, University Of Buffalo Dental Program Aims To Change That: WebDentistry: Home of SmileFinder!
Summary
BUFFALO, New York —Nearly 10,500 students applied to attend dental school in the United States this fall. “Simply put, there are not enough Native American students pursuing a career in dentistry, said Joseph Salamon, DDS, program director, dental services director for Seneca Nation Health System and clinical instructor in the UB School of Dental Medicine. “Reaching out to Native American communities not only enhances the diversity of our student body, but also expands the number of caregivers sensitive to the unique oral health issues amongst this community.” Despite Native Americans comprising 3% of the country’s population, they make up 0.2% of dentists, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The history of social injustices that Native Americans have suffered have resulted in less representation in the health sciences, and more periodontal disease and at least four times more caries in their teeth compared to the U.S. population,” said Othman Shibly, DDS, clinical professor and assistant dean for diversity and inclusion in the UB School of Dental Medicine. The Native American Pre-Dental Student Gateway Program is partially funded by the United South and Eastern Tribes, an organization comprised of 27 Tribal Nations dedicated to serving the health and economic needs and addressing the environmental concerns of Native Americans.