One-of-a-kind Externship Experience Reinforces Public Health Interest
Robin Yamaguma DMD 10 recently spent 10 weeks living and working on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota for her externship rotation. Yamaguma is one of only two DMD students who have chosen Pine Ridge as their externship site since the location joined the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Extramural Program in 2007.
Pine Ridge is located in the southwest corner of South Dakota near the Nebraska border. It is the poorest county in the United States and has a population of approximately 38,000 people. The unemployment rate is around 80% and many families lack electricity, a telephone, running water, heat, or sewer systems. The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is home to the Oglala Sioux Tribe, whose native language is Lakota. Although the reservation is dry, alcoholism and drug abuse are a huge problem for the people.
The dental clinic at Pine Ridge employs three general dentists—including Yamaguma’s preceptor Dr. Jose Rodriguez—one pediatric dentist, seven dental assistants, and two hygienists. Their work focuses mainly on extractions, sedative fillings, pulpectomies, and amalgam restorations. Yamaguma dove right in to work at the clinic where she saw patients 40-hours per week.
"I had several patients confide in me about their past drug addiction and how that led to neglect of their mouth and its present, not-too-pretty condition," said Yamaguma. "After congratulating them for overcoming that hurdle in life, we did not look back. Instead we talked about their present situation and how we could maintain and improve their oral condition for the future. Seeing my patients get motivated to visit the dentist regularly and make a healthy change in their lives, made those extra ten minutes of talking and having the dental assistants think I’m the slowest dental student ever, completely worth it."
In addition to her work in the clinic she also completed a public health project with special education students at Pine Ridge High School. Yamaguma and hygienist Nicole Glines, went to the school and taught students proper brushing and flossing techniques, along with the negative effects of soda on teeth. For two weeks following their visit the students brushed and flossed every day at school, and when Yamaguma and Glines returned there was a noticeable improvement in the students’ oral health.
"The class was so excited to learn and enthusiastic to participate that I couldn’t help but get excited to know that maybe I was able to have a positive influence on these kids and spark some interest in oral awareness," added Yamaguma.
Yamaguma spent her free time in Pine Ridge getting to know people in the community and trying new things. As a native Hawaiian she didn’t have much experience with snow sports, but that changed during her externship. She tried skiing, snow boarding, snowmobiling, and 4-wheeling. She also attended her first rodeo; helped friends feed their cows, horses, and pigs; visited area attractions; and went to sporting events at the high school.
"One thing I did not expect or prepare for when I came to Pine Ridge was the effect the people who entered my life would have on me," said Yamaguma. "After ten weeks I have fallen in love…in love with the culture that reminds me so much of home in Hawaii, in love with the dental staff who took me under their wing to mentor me and whose enthusiasm reconfirmed my desire to work in public health, and in love with the people in the community. I came to Pine Ridge as part of a school requirement, but ended up leaving a piece of my heart there."
Yamaguma hopes to return to Pine Ridge after graduation. She is applying to the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, with the intent of being placed at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation as a general dentist. She recommends this externship location to adventurous students who have a desire to meet the locals and become part of the community during their rotation.
Photos from Yamaguma’s externship experience are available on the GSDM flickr account and Facebook page.