Profiles
George Blue Spruce
Jr.,
DDS, MPH, an enrolled member of the Pueblo Tribe
(Laguna/Ohkay-Owingeh), is the first recognized American
Indian dentist. During his long career he has made
enormous contributions to increasing the number of
American Indian dentists and improving the dental care
of Indian people. He's still actively involved in these
missions.
Jessica
Rickert,
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, DDS, is the first
recognized American Indian woman dentist. She has a
successful private practice in Michigan and wrote a book
entitled
Exploring Careers in Dentistry.
Craig Bruce,
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, DDS, is the Navajo
Area Regional Specialty Consultant at Tuba City Regional
Health Care Corporation Complex Dental Unit. He enjoys
taking care of children.
Dezmon Damon,
Navajo, is a dental student. She has done clinical
rotations in Alaska and hopes eventually to practice in
Alaska.
Nikki Gore,
Crow Tribe of Montana, is a dental student who wants to
work in the Indian Health Service.
Charles W.
Grim,
Cherokee, DDS, MHSA, was the first dentist to serve as
Director of the Indian Health Service.
Dan Hubert,
Quinault, DMD, is the dental consultant with the Phoenix
Area Indian Health Service.
Darlene
Sorrell,
Navajo, DMD, is Director of Clinical Services at the
Albuquerque Indian Health Service Dental Program.
Gwen Werner, Navajo, is a dental
student who, eventually, wants to work back home in Tuba
City.