Prior Lake, Minnesota - There are only 127 American Indian dentists currently in the United States, which means there is approximately one American Indian dentist for every 35,000 American Indians. There are 25 American Indian dental students and 90 unfilled dentist positions in the Indian Health Service.

Most American Indian people have never seen an American Indian dentist and, lacking role models, American Indian students rarely consider this a viable career option. To help encourage American Indian youth to pursue a career in dentistry, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has made a $10,000 donation to the Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID) for scholarships at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry for the second year in a row.

The donation went to the Dr. George Blue Spruce Scholarship fund, an endowed scholarship for American Indian students seeking professional credentials at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. In 2007 the SMSC made a $10,000 donation to help establish the fund.

“This donation is a huge step in allowing more American Indian students to consider a career in dentistry. Shakopee’s donation last year was the first large endowment from a tribe,” said Jessica A. Rickert, D.D.S., member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the SAID Board of Directors.

The SMSC grant of $10,000 in 2007 was leveraged to raise an additional $40,000 for the endowment. It is hoped that the 2008 grant will be successfully leveraged to raise additional funds.

“Dental professional scholarship funds for American Indian students are distinctly missing in the current education landscape. The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is committed to improving opportunities for American Indian students,” wrote Michael J. Madden, DDS, Assistant Dean for Admissions, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. “This is a unique opportunity to advance the cause of American Indian education, self-determination, and health for today’s and future generations.”

The goal is to raise $200,000 for the scholarship, which is named after Dr. George Blue Spruce (Pueblo), the first Native American dentist in the United States. He also later served as the Assistant Surgeon General in the United States Public Health Service.

^ top ^