Jessica Ann Rickert, DDS, is scheduled to visit the University at Buffalo (N.Y.) Oct. 23 to discuss her journey as the first female American Indian dentist in the world, along with the shortage of American Indians in the dental profession, according to an Oct. 22 news release from the university.
The free event "Change Perceptions…Go Beyond Expectations" is sponsored by the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and is open to the public.
"A dental career is not even a remote consideration for most American Indian young people. This is due, in part, to the fact that most have never even seen an American Indian dentist," Dr. Rickert said.
Almost 10,500 students applied to U.S. dental schools in the fall of 2019, with only 16 being American Indian applicants, according to the American Dental Education Association.
"I do not believe the American Indian dental dilemma is a hopeless situation. It simply requires all of us involved in the dental profession to step up and help," Dr. Rickert said.
A member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Dr. Rickert became the nation's first female American Indian dentist in 1975. Since then, she has opened a private practice and treats patients at several public health venues. Dr. Rickert also helped develop prevention and orthodontics programs for the Children's Aid Society in Detroit and formed an intertribal dental clinic in Detroit.
Dr. Rickert is the author of the book "Exploring Careers in Dentistry" and a dental advice column published in many prevalent American Indian newspapers. Dr. Rickert has received an American Dental Association Access Award and belongs to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame.
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The free event "Change Perceptions…Go Beyond Expectations" is sponsored by the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and is open to the public.
"A dental career is not even a remote consideration for most American Indian young people. This is due, in part, to the fact that most have never even seen an American Indian dentist," Dr. Rickert said.
Almost 10,500 students applied to U.S. dental schools in the fall of 2019, with only 16 being American Indian applicants, according to the American Dental Education Association.
"I do not believe the American Indian dental dilemma is a hopeless situation. It simply requires all of us involved in the dental profession to step up and help," Dr. Rickert said.
A member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Dr. Rickert became the nation's first female American Indian dentist in 1975. Since then, she has opened a private practice and treats patients at several public health venues. Dr. Rickert also helped develop prevention and orthodontics programs for the Children's Aid Society in Detroit and formed an intertribal dental clinic in Detroit.
Dr. Rickert is the author of the book "Exploring Careers in Dentistry" and a dental advice column published in many prevalent American Indian newspapers. Dr. Rickert has received an American Dental Association Access Award and belongs to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame.
More articles on dental:
Fire destroys Chicago dental care mobile
TDSC reassures dentists after judge finds Benco, Patterson conspired against buying groups
Washington state dental operator fined $5K in connection with patient death