conference education Laura Hale Brannon (she/her) is a Project Manager for the Dental Ther- apy Project, a part of the Dental Access Project at Community Catalyst. In this role, Laura oversees efforts to support the authorization and im- plementation of dental therapists across the country.Previously, Laura worked for The Pew Charitable Trusts supporting state-based campaigns to authorize dental therapists. She also worked as a federal lobbyist for the American Society of Civil Engineers, covering transportation infra- structure policy. Laura received a bachelor’s degree in political science
conference education
the National Partnership for Dental Therapy. He is a founding member and President of Floridians For Dental Access.
General Session: Tat-Sem-Maat, Dental Health Aide Therapist Saturday, October 7, 2023 | 10:50 am - 11:35 am (.50 CDE) Presenter: Angela Johnson
My name is Tat- Sem-Maat, Angela Johnson. My dad’s name is Sem- la nough, Vernon Johnson, Jr. My grandpa is Vernon Johnson (Critter) from Lummi and Quinalt. My grandma is Taitla Cecilia Johnson, originally Genge, from Tsawwassen First Nations. My biological mom is Caucasian and her name is Sheila Jacobson. My step mom is Elizabeth King-George (Betty), originally Swanaset, from Nooksack. I come from a family of six kids known as the Betty bunch. There are a few reasons I chose this pro- fession. I was watching a movie called Horrible Bosses. One of the main characters’ jobs was a dental assistant. I thought that looks fun, so I quit my job of serv- ing and started school that Monday to join the dental world. I was a dental assistant for about three years at Sea Mar Community Health Center. I started feeling like I was not contributing enough to the world. I learned of the Dental Health Aide Therapist (DHAT) position and became interested. I drove down to the Swinomish Dental Clinic to shadow their dental therapist, Daniel Kennedy. Dr. Hogan informed me I would have a better chance at getting the opportunity through my own tribe, Lummi. So I put in my notice at Sea Mar in hopes of joining Lummi Dental to become a DHAT. Dr. Dubek, the dental director, hired me right away and from there I proactively pushed to become the dental health aide therapist for my community. I have always wanted to help in some way and now this is my chance to prove I can. In Tsawwassen First Nation, there is no dental clinic on the reservation, so I would also like to start a mobile dental van for the kids and possibly involve the elders and eventually anyone who can qualify for dental services in my scope of work. One last thing on my career bucket list is international volunteering. I would love to travel to countries that do not have dental access and provide as many services as I can. I have many dreams, goals and aspirations, especially with my new career position. I would love to help my community achieve healthy oral cavities as well as overall health. I want to do as much as I can for as many people as I can. This is just the beginning to an innovative dentistry approach.
from the University of Notre Dame.
General Session: The Economic Impacts of Dental Therapy Saturday, October 7, 2023 | 10:00 am - 10:45 am (.50 CDE) Presenter: Dr. Frank Catalanotto
There are at least three ways to assess the economic impacts of dental therapy. First, being a dental therapist can have a tremendous personal impact on the individual who becomes a therapist. Salaries for dental therapists are quite good and can significantly improve the quality of life for the therapist and family. A second way to evaluate econom- ic impact is to evaluate the cost effectiveness and improved access to dental care for organizations which employ dental therapists compared to their costs of hiring dentists. A third way to evaluate economic impact is to examine the literature demonstrating im - proved systemic and oral health of individuals receiving dental care and the resulting cost savings. Examples of each of these areas of impact will be discussed. During this program participants will be able to list the salary ranges for dental therapists, describe the cost effectiveness of dental therapists for their hiring organizations, and de- scribe at least one example of the cost savings related to improved oral health.
Intended Audience: All attendees
Dr. Frank Catalanotto (he/him) is the former dean and currently Profes- sor at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. His professional inter- ests include social responsibility, oral health inequities and racial equity. Dr. Catalanotto’s current advocacy efforts are focused on new emerging oral workforce models with a focus on dental therapy. He is a Vice-Chair of the National Coalition of Dentists for Health Equity and a Co-Chair of
Intended audience: All attendees
Annual Conference Guide 2023
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Annual Conference Guide 2023
Page 55
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