February 15, 2009
Program Coordinator Capt. Kathy Balasko (left) shows Ben Steward (center) the best techniques for providing dental hygeine instructions to a patient. DHAT student Tatiana Barraclough sits in as the patient.
New Dental Therapy students begin studies
By Tiffany Zulkosky, Public Relations
The groundbreaking Dental Health Aide Therapy (DHAT)program that is bringing mid-level dental care providers into ultra-rural communities launched the second class of Alaska-trained students on January 12.
Six students from across Alaska are transitioning from a year in Anchorage to the Yuut Elitnaurviat Dental Training Clinic in Bethel where they will begin a rigorous hands-on curriculum with increased patient contact.
"The first week was spent helping students get oriented to Bethel and to the policies and procedures of our Bethel training facility," said Dr. Anthony Brusca, DDS, Clinical Instructor. "They are preparing for much more patient contact than they had in Anchorage. I believe they will continue to build upon their solid foundation of skills established in Anchorage and make a smooth transition into patient care."
The new second-year students are Tatiana Barraclough of Atka, Bernadette Charles of Mountain Village, Tammy Guido of Anchorage, Ooyuan Nagaruk of Elim, Marian Petla of New Stuyahok, and Ben Steward of Seward.
The program has tentatively identified December 11, 2009, as the graduation date for this cohort. Following graduation, students begin a preceptorship working with licensed Dentists in the clinic or health corporation they will eventually serve as a Dental Therapist. After successful completion of their preceptorship and certification through Alaska's Community Health Aide Program, students will be ready to work as Dental Therapists in Alaska's communities.
The DHAT Clinical Instructors for the 2009 year include Doctors Anthony Brusca, Sarah Shoffstall, and Robert "Bob" Allen.
"We're excited about this new group of students," Brusca said. "We are hopeful that they will continue to uphold the high standards of patient care established by our first group of U.S. trained Dental Health Aide Therapists."
