2011-11: Support for Development of a Native American Dental School

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1970 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, NIEA as the largest national Indian organization of American Indian, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian educators, administrators, parents and students in the United States, provides a forum to discuss and act upon issues affecting the education of Indian and Native people; and

WHEREAS, through its’ unique relationship with Indian nations and tribes, the federal government has established programs and resources to meet the educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved or non-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, American Indians and Alaska Natives have no, or minimal, access to dental care in their tribal communities; and

WHEREAS, all Native Americans, because of our unique political relationship with the U.S. government, deserve the highest quality of dental care; and

WHEREAS, dental care throughout the entire U.S. is expensive. Dental care costs are constantly predicted to rise, making dental care cost-prohibitive and virtually unattainable for American Indians and Alaska Natives of all ages; and

WHEREAS, there is a severe shortage of dentists in Native America. There is even more of a shortage of Native dentists; and

WHEREAS, individual tribal members and families have little options other than the programs provided by the Indian Health Service (IHS), which have been historically underfunded and inaccessible; and

WHEREAS, more American Indian and Alaska Native students are needed to commit to practicing dentistry in tribal communities throughout Native America; and

WHEREAS, the American Dental Association has the resources to invest in higher quality dental programs in tribal communities, and there are ADA members who are willing to support an accredited Native American dental school; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association will support the development of a Native American dental school that will recruit and serve Native students throughout the country; utilize a holistic approach to dentistry; and provide access to quality dental care throughout Native America.