University of Alaska Anchorage School of Dentistry

1. University of Alaska Anchorage School of Dentistry Creating a UAA Dental School: Feasibility Report By: Caleb McGraw http://now.tufts.edu/articles/new-accolade-dental-school

2. Abstract • This Project examines the feasibility of opening a dental school at the University of Alaska Anchorage. • Research • Review of literature via UAA consortium library online database • Online survey taken by current UAA students • The Project was discovered to be feasible • Biggest challenge: 65+ million dollar start-up costs • Conclusions • Majority of current UAA students support the dental school • Increase in Anchorage’s economy • Increase in the level of dental care throughout Alaska • Expansion of UAA’s educational standing • Increase in training of highly needed dentists • Recommendations • Create a more detailed outline of budget and costs • Link school to Alaska Native dental care to gain federal funding

3. Introduction • Problem • Dental care in rural Alaska is far below the rest of the United States, explained as a dental care epidemic. • Only 29% of Alaska Native Children, and fewer adults have access to dental care. • It’s challenging and difficult for dentists to practice dentistry in rural Alaskan when they are unfamiliar with the communities’ cultures and climates. Statistics showing Alaska Native epidemic  • Solution • Bring dental care to Alaska; creating a dental school at UAA which gives priority to Alaskans and Alaska Natives admission. • Require all graduating dentists to perform a mandatory 4 years of work in Alaska before leaving to practice dentistry outside the state. • Dentists who are familiar with the climate and conditions of rural Alaska will be better equipped to work throughout Alaska bringing much needed dental care to rural communities. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/healthy_people/hp2000/reviews/oral_health.htm

4. Methods • UAA Consortium Library Online Database • Secured background information regarding: • Alaska’s Dental care system • Dental school startup and running costs • Admission process and statistics • Alaska Native dental health in smaller communities/villages • Questionnaire: Dental School at UAA • Taken by current UAA undergraduate students • Views of students regarding: • starting a dental school at UAA. • Impact a new dental school would have on Alaska and the dental care epidemic throughout smaller Alaskan communities. • Impact a Dental school would have on UAA.

5. Results • Dental school is highly competitive (Burell, 2013) • Meaning large pool of applicants to fill up UAA dental school • Budget • Small dental school in western Canada (similar geographically to Anchorage) upkeep is around two million dollars (Warick, 2009) • To create a small dental school, it will cost upwards of 65 million dollars (O’Keefe, 2007) • Alaska’s need: • Less than 1/3 of Alaska Native children have had access to dental care with adults at even lower numbers (Smith, 2007) • Government has legal agreement to give appropriate dental care to Alaska Natives, which is not being upheld, resulting in a dental health epidemic in Alaska http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/cute-native-eskimo-girl-2112-pictures.htm

6. Questionnaire • 15-question questionnaire was given to twelve UAA undergraduate students • Majority supported dental school (11 out of 12) • Data from important questions:

7. Conclusion • Creating the UAA School of Dentistry is feasible • UAA students: • Support creating a dental school • Majority agree it will increase quality of dental care in rural Alaska • Majority agree Alaska Natives will be more cooperative with dentists trained in Alaska • Finances • Government has legal agreement to supply Alaska Natives with dental care, therefore a UAA dental school, which will help with the Alaska Native dental health epidemic could be eligible to receive federal funding to help with start-up costs • Will boost economy in Anchorage • Enough aspiring dentists to fill enrollment

8. Recommendations • In future work: • More viable resources • More quotes on costs to create UAA dental school • In-depth look into how it will effect rural community dental care epidemic https://www2.aap.org/oralhealth/PolicyStatements.html

9. References • Burell, J. (2013). Getting Into Dental School. Retrieved from http://youngadults.about.com/od/quarterlife/qt/Getting-Into-Dental- School.html. • Klejka, J., Swanzy, M., Whistler, B., Jones, C., Bruce, M. G., M.D., Hennessy, T. W., Husain, F. (2011). Dental caries in rural alaska native children - alaska, 2008. Atlanta: U.S. Center for Disease Control. Retrieved from http:// search.proquest.com.proxy.consortiumlibrary.org/docview/897944692? accountid=14473. • O’Keefe, B. (2007, May 16). Dental school will fill a need - BUDGET: THE WAY AHEAD. The Australian, pp. 22. • P.R. Newswire. (2011, September 23). Alaska's Dental Therapists Combat Widespread Oral Disease, Bringing Preventive Dental Care to Children and Families. Retrieved from www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alaska-dental- therapists-combat-widespread-oral-disease-bringing-preventive-dental-care- to-children-and-families-130447228.html. • Smith, E, B. (2007, June). DENTAL THERAPISTS IN ALASKA: ADDRESSING UNMET NEEDS AND REVIVING COMPETITION IN DENTAL CARE. Alaska Law Review, pp 105. • Warick, J. (2009, November 28). Dental school's budget cut; First Nations University wants to keep program going. The Star Phoenix, pp. 3A.