Dental students receive hands-on training with Arctic Warriors

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Morgan Sneed
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  These days, if you walk into the Dental Clinic at Elmendorf, don't be surprised if you find yourself in the chair of a University of Alaska-Anchorage dental student. 

A dozen students are enrolled in the UAA Dental Hygiene Program, which consists of a partnership between the University of Alaska and the Elmendorf Dental Clinic. The partnership began this month and is approximately four-weeks long. There are four rotations with three students in each rotation. 

"We have 12 students that come to do clinical rotations and see patients," said Tech. Sgt. Angelica Chica, 3rd Dental Squadron NCO in charge of preventative dentistry. "The students have gone through about two years of school and have been seeing patients clinically for about a year and a half." 

Kelley Shepperd, a UAA Dental student, said the program is benefiting them greatly.
"We get to see a lot more patients," said Ms. Shepperd. "At UAA, I see two patients. Today, (at Elmendorf) I saw five -- that is a huge benefit to me, because when I graduate and I'm in the dental office I am completely confident. After going through this rotation, I'll be up to speed, making him (the dentist), and me, plenty of money." 

The program has been planned for a while. The dental staff at Elmendorf has been working for about two years to get the program started. The dental clinic leadership said that the university didn't have the funding to staff a faculty member at the clinic. 

Once Sergeant Chica arrived at Elmendorf, the base had the means to push the program forward. As a registered dental hygienist, Sergeant Chica had the necessary training to be allowed to supervise the students. After undergoing university training requirements she became an unpaid faculty member, which allowed the program to get off the ground. 

"Basically, I act as adjunct faculty for UAA," Sergeant Chica said. "I supervise them and check the quality of their work, as well as educate and teach them new techniques."
Not only does this program provide a great opportunity to the students, but it also provides greater access to care for the military members on base by having more providers to treat patients. 

"By having the students come over here, it allows us to broaden our access to care for a lot more of our patients," said Master Sgt. Steven Spencer, NCO in charge of clinical dentistry. 

He added that the students still have to be supervised by a licensed provider. With 11 dentists on staff, as well as Sergeant Chica, the dental clinic always has someone to provide the students with supervision and help if needed. 

The program seems to be working well. The clinic staff said the feedback from both students and military members has been positive. 

"The appointments take on average an hour-and-a-half and, although the patients may have to sit in the chair a little longer, they've been pleased with the quality of care they've received," Sergeant Spencer said, adding that for the students, "the best part is having a patient that responds to you positively. You were able to give them some feedback. They come back a few weeks later and you can see the change in their oral health standards, and that's really, really, rewarding."