The Development and Implementation of Dental Health Aide Therapists in Alaska

Abstract

Alaska natives are disproportionately affected by oral disease in comparison to the general American population and have limited access to care. This paper discusses the development and implementation of the dental health aide therapist by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. This dental therapist can effectively extend the ability of dentists to provide for those not receiving care in the remote villages of rural Alaska, helping address oral health disparities existing among Alaska natives.