LLU School of Dentistry Dentalgram - innovators serve rural communities

Dentalgram

October 2003

Inspiring LLUSD innovators serve rural communities
By Clyde Roggenkamp

Clyde Roggenkamp, SD’70, stand in from of Dr. Sander’s dental office in Craig, Alaska.

During the quarterly break I visited Dr. Ralph Steinman, professor emeritus, who was LLUSD’s sole researcher (and author of more than 87 papers) for nearly 30 years. The occasion of this trip by personal plane to Sunny Valley, Oregon, was to obtain more information and published materials for a research review about dentinal fluid transfer.

Flight the next day was extended up the rugged, pristine western coastline of British Columbia to visit Dr. Tim Sanders who has lived and practiced in Ketchikan, Alaska, for many years. Due to the topography of the area, the airport’s runway lies across a narrow strait from the city of Ketchikan and must be traversed via ferry.

Dr. Sanders has several satellite practices which he has maintained in southeast Alaska over many years.

One practice, started in Craig, Alaska, on Prince of Wales Island, is now owned by and shared with Dr. Scott Brookshire. It was my privilege to observe this office. Transportation to this remote location out of Ketchikan is either by three-hour inter-island ferry or 45-minute float plane ride.

It certainly is a tribute to our former graduates who have devoted their lives to practicing the quality of dentistry taught at LLUSD under diverse circumstances in off-the-beaten-path localities, serving local islanders who would have to travel inconvenient distances or forgo dental care altogether.

Innovators such Drs. Steinman, Sanders, and Brookshire might sometimes cause others of us to re-assess our life’s priorities and goals.


A totem pole is being carved and painted in a wood shop in Saxman Village, Ketchikan, Alaska.		An aerial view of Craig, Alaska, showing the remote location of Dr. Sanders’ dental clinic (below end of dangling rope).