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Adventures – both at work and at play – are just one facet of an IHS externship. From the deserts of the American southwest to the windswept tundra of Alaska, IHS dental externs are gaining invaluable hands-on clinical experience, learning about traditional American Indian and Alaska Native cultures, working with underserved populations, and sampling an adventurous lifestyle, all at the same time. Most importantly, students are working in what is often their first exposure to a public health dentistry environment – different from private practice, but filled with rewards and both personal and professional satisfaction.
The staff of Impressions talked with three IHS dental externs about their recent experiences. Timothy Oh from the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health spent five weeks in Bethel, Alaska, honing his dental skills with the Yup'ik Tribe and providing care in a remote native village. Kelly Richardson, who plans to follow a public health career path after graduation from the Virginia School of Dentistry, worked for three weeks at the busy Hopi Health Center’s dental clinic in Pollaca, Arizona, where she also experienced rock climbing for the first time. And in Browning, Montana, on the Blackfeet reservation, Lydia Winters gained experience with medical consultations and performed procedures she had only limited experience with in school.
We also talked with CAPT Jose Rodriguez, Dental Chief at the Pine Ridge Dental Clinic in South Dakota, which has hosted many dental externship students over the years. CAPT Rodriguez talks about public health dentistry and how an IHS externship can benefit dental students in so many ways. Read the full article »
U.S. Public Health Service Increases
Sign-on Bonus for Dentists
An increase in the Accession Bonus of up to $60,000 was recently announced by the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service. Dentists that agree to a four year commitment with Commissioned Corps are eligible. The Indian Health Service employs the most dentists as Commissioned Corps officers of all Federal agencies. For more information go to: www.dentist.ihs.gov
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IHS Snap Facts
171 Applications for IHS externship in 2007
91 Externs placed
36 Dental schools participating in the externship program
21 IHS and Tribal sites hosting externs
2008 Externship application period starts October 1, 2007 at
IHS Externships
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