The SDDA is working to improve the oral health of Native Americans living on South Dakota’s Reservations by both placing volunteers in Indian Health Service (IHS) dental clinics on the Reservations and hosting events that bring dentists and dental staff to the reservation to provide direct care to Native Americans. The SDDA’s role in placing volunteers in IHS dental clinics is primarily that of a match maker. The SDDA is coordinating with volunteer dentists and service units (facilities that house IHS dental clinics) to get the dentist properly credentialed to work in the service unit and collaborate with volunteer dentists and the dental chief at the service unit to arrange volunteerism opportunities. 

There are two events currently scheduled for 2013. Rosebud Dental Days are scheduled for July 22-26. Approximately 20 dentists, along with 20 dental assistants and six hygienists, are needed for the week-long event at Rosebud. Volunteer sites at Rosebud include the Rosebud (IHS) dental clinic; the St. Francis Mission Dental Clinic; and Delta Dental’s mobile dental units (two trucks plus four portable units at St. Francis Indian School). General dentists, pediatric dentists, oral surgeons, dental assistants and hygienists are encouraged to volunteer for this event. The Standing Rock Mission of Mercy is scheduled for October 11 -12. This event is being organized in conjunction with the North Dakota Dental Association. The local host is the Standing Rock Head Start. Only Head Start children, and their siblings, will be treated during this event. The event will be held at the Standing Rock School gymnasium in Fort Yates, North Dakota (the Standing Rock Reservation is in both North Dakota and South Dakota, with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Headquarters located in Fort Yates). Pediatric dentists and their staff are encouraged to volunteer for this event. Dentists, or staff, who want to volunteer should contact Paul Knecht or Brenda Goeden at the SDDA office by calling 605-224-9133 or email to paul.knecht@sddental.org or brenda.goeden@sddental.org.