I was very pleased to be invited to present my recent research at the Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID) 24th Annual Conference in Tulalip, Washington. My presentation, entitled “Native Oral Health Problems and Solutions” addressed the status of oral health in Native communities.
I discussed the unique concerns of American Indian Communities. The most pressing issue is the limited access to dental care providers in these communities. One potential solution I discussed is the use of dental therapists to alleviate the oral health disparities in the American Indian Community.
The conference was inspiring as it offers professionals and aspiring dental students the opportunity to present recent findings from groundbreaking research and listen to educational presentations on oral health issues that concern the community.
About SAID
I am a member of the Society of American Indian Dentists, which is a national, non-profit organization comprised of oral health professionals and students dedicated to promoting and improving the oral health of the American Indian/Alaskan Native community. It also provides advocacy for the American Indian/Alaskan Native dental professionals across the US.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN INDIAN DENTISTS (SAID) IS TO:
• Promote dental health in the American Indian Community
• Encourage American Indian Youth to pursue a career in the profession of dentistry
• Serve as a resource for assistance to American Indian students interested in the profession of dentistry
• Provide role-model leadership
• Promote American Indian heritage and traditional values
• Promote and support the unique concerns of American Indian Dentists
The Society of American Indian Dentists holds annual meetings each summer. These meetings are usually held in association with a dental school and American Indian tribes located in the vicinity of the institution.