Photo By Sgt. Craig Anderson | Far from accessible dental care, the 230 residences of Tanana, Alaska, are hosting a...... read more read more
TANANA, Alaska - Two hours north of Fairbanks via Blackhawk helicopter, sits a remote village far removed from major roads, airports, and basic medical and dental care.
The 230 residents of Tanana, though far off the beaten path, are not forgotten, nor will they ever be forgotten by the specialized dentistry team volunteering their time and skills in support of Arctic Care 2011.
Arctic Care is the largest medical reserve joint operation training exercise and is supported by the 807th Medical Deployment Support Command from Ft. Douglas, Utah. The mission in Tanana is to provide medical and dental care to the Native Alaskans. The operation runs through the end of April.
“It is unique that we are working with the Army, but together we can provide more healthcare service,” said Cmdr. Lee Minh, a dentist with the United States Public Health Service. “We are also meeting a lot of new people and that makes it more interesting,” he said.
Other medical, dental and veterinarian teams are deployed to other small villages throughout northern Alaska. Each with the same mission: provide quality healthcare to those in need.
“Arctic Care is a mission that requires a lot of cooperation, involvement and planning to make it work, Minh said. “I like the dynamics that make an operation like this work. It creates the challenges I like to overcome and it develops a communication link between the other services.”
Working in a remote location with extreme temperatures, the dentistry team faces challenges even Minh might find difficult to overcome. With few resources, limited electricity to run all the equipment it is not easy to perform even the basic dental procedures. And if the equipment breaks down flying a bio medical technician out to repair presents a logistical challenge in itself.
Still, Minh remains confident that the 2 dentist and 3 dental assistants will see all their patients before departing at month’s end.
“Our goal is to treat all the kids here and to provide emergency treatment and dental care for the adults,” said Minh.
It is only the second day of operation and the dental team already has 125 villagers signed up for service. With a complete dentistry set-up the team is able to perform tooth extractions, beginning root canals, fix cavities, crowns and X-rays.
Minh is not the only one who finds this mission unique. Dental professionals were brought in from as far away as Texas and Ohio, each with a desire to serve the people of Tanana.
“I think what makes this unique is that we are taken out of our element, our jobs and our daily routines, brought out to a place where we are seeing different people and different cultures and lend a helping hand,” said Spc. Timothy Clausing, a dental assistant with the 360th Medical Company Dental Support in Twinsburg, Ohio. “We are able to hone our skills while providing care for the people.”
Clausing, a dental assistant with the 360th Medical Company Dental Support in Twinsburg, Ohio, said that this work here is a valuable life lesson in service that he will hold onto and pass along to others.
“The experience here is extraordinarily valuable to my career,” Clausing said. “When I become an NCO and leader I can pass on these values I have learned here to other soldiers.”
The Native Alaskan people realize the value of the operation and appreciate the care given by the members of Arctic Care. Many go without healthcare services because they do not have insurance and it is too far for them to travel to see a doctor.
“Without Arctic Care here, people would not be able to get the care they need. They would never go as far away as Fairbanks to get this care,” said Fred Nicholia, a member of the Athabascan Tribal Council in Tanana.
“The people’s reception of Arctic Care is very good. Of course, if you were just passing through and not providing health care they would still welcome you – that is just how the people are here,” Nicholia said.
“The Native Alaskans have been very supportive and very friendly - I like them very much,” Minh said “They even prepare a lunch for us each day to show us their appreciation.”
“The professionals here are a great group of people and great representatives of Arctic Care,” Nicholia said.
The experiences of the Arctic Care soldiers, airmen and sailors in this remote but friendly town have been overwhelmingly positive. The memories and experiences will last a lifetime – with both the service members and Native Alaskans benefitting in many ways.
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2011 22:21 |
| Story ID: | 69208 |
| Location: | FAIRBANKS, TANANA ALASKA, AK, US |
| Web Views: | 380 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Arctic Care 2011 Dental Team Works in Remote Alaskan Village, by SGT Craig Anderson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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