Prior Lake, Minnesota - There are only 85 American Indian dentists currently in the United States, which means there is one American Indian dentist for every 35,000 American Indians. There are 400 dentists employed by the Indian Health Service and 150 dentists employed by tribal health programs. Of these 550 dentists, less than 70 are known to be American Indian dentists. 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 University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.

The donation, which will help establish an endowed scholarship for American Indian students seeking professional credentials at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, has already been leveraged to raise an additional $40,000 for the endowment. The donation was announced at the Society of American Indian Dentists annual conference at Mystic Lake Casino June 7, 2007.

"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 todays and future generations."

Two American Indian students are currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry with two more American Indian dental students scheduled to begin their training in the fall of 2007.

The goal is to raise $100,000 which will be matched by the University's Minnesota Medical Foundation.

^ top ^