About: Dentistry in rural Alaska

There is a notable lack of dental care in rural Alaska. This is likely due to the fact that many Alaska Natives live in rural villages, most of which are only accessible by boat or bush plane. There are many programs to increase awareness of the importance of dental care among Alaska Natives while helping them to receive the professional care and guidance that they need. There are many dental issues that are disproportionately common within the rural Alaska Native population, such as tooth disease. To help with these health issues, there are dentists, as well as dental therapist aides, who travel to these villages to perform care. These programs are mostly funded by the United States federal government and the Alaska Native Corporations.