Home | Employee Email | Web VPN

Home : Dental

Information

 Phone: (907) 729-2000

 Monday - Friday
 8:00am - 6:00pm

 Fireweed Building
 4341 Tudor Centre Drive
 Anchorage, AK 99508

Fireweed Dental

Southcentral Foundation's Dental Clinic provides dental care for all adult customers in the Anchorage Service Unit. Opened in 2003 in the new “Fireweed Building” on Tudor Center Drive (transferred from the old facility on Fireweed Lane), the clinic offers the most up-do-date procedures available, using technologically advanced equipment.

Among the services offered at the clinic are cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns, bridges, and removable appliances such as dentures and partials. Although primarily a facility for adult treatment, the clinic also offers orthodontic care for children. Dedicated to the promotion of its customers' dental wellness, the clinic takes a progressive approach to dental care by....

• using advanced tools to diagnose dental conditions, remineralize
• teeth, educate the customer, and prevent recurrent needs;
• taking proactive steps through frequent customer call-backs and the use of state-of-the-art materials;
• the training of new dental staff (dentists and dental aides), aimed at the ongoing development of the program.

Among the notable features of the clinic are:

• 27 dental chair stations, most with window views
• Paperless medical chart
• Digital X-ray with instant images at each station
• 3 oral surgery suites
• 3 digital panoramic X-ray machines
• Streamlined check-in and check-out procedures

Southcentral Foundation's Dental Services also manages pediatric dental care, dental emergency care, and dental surgery, located at the Alaska Native Medical Center.

ANMC Dental

The Alaska Native Medical Center Dental Service provides statewide services on a referral basis for:

• Oral Surgery - takes care of primarily trauma and “wisdom teeth”
• Pedodontists treat small children with complex needs.
• The Alaska Native Medical Center Dental Service primarily cares for school aged children with routine needs.

Emergency dental care is provided 24 hours per day though the emergency department.

Routine emergencies are treated in the dental clinic on a first come first served basis depending upon the severity of the problem.

Limited routine adult care is provided on a sameday appointment basis. Patients come to the dental clinic at 7:30 and are given and appointment sometime that same day.

Our hours are: 7:30am - 6:00pm. Monday to Friday, except Wednesday when we close at 5pm. Please phone 729-2000 for an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why does it take so long to be seen when I am in PAIN???

A: Patients that check in for the dental emergency clinic are usually seen on a first come first serve basis. On average we treat over 30 patients per day on an emergency basis; and, everyone that checks into the emergency clinic will be seen as soon as possible.

Q: Why can't all of my dental work be completed in one visit?

A: Some dental work can be completed during one visit, but unfortunately most cannot. Depending on the amount and complexity of work needed, one should expect a few appointments to complete their dental needs.

Q: Why can't I make an appointment for my toothache?

A: Appointments are not needed for a toothache. At the ANMC Dental Clinic, the emergency clinic is available Monday through Friday 7:30am to 6pm. We ask that you check in by 3pm to ensure that we have enough time to manage your care.

Q: How many fillings are done during an appointment?

A: The number of fillings done during an appointment can vary depending on the size and complexity of the fillings.

Q: I just had a root canal started, why can't I make an appointment to have it finished? Isn't that an emergency?

A: To complete a root canal, patients must have a current exam from which a treatment plan is made. It is in the patient's best interest to receive a cleaning and complete all necessary fillings prior to finishing the root canal treatment. By following the treatment plan, the proper appointment sequence will help to decrease the chance of other problems occurring. An incomplete root canal is not an emergency, but if this tooth becomes bothersome over time or if any swelling occurs the patient will need to be seen in the dental emergency clinic.

Q: I heard all you do is pull teeth here.

A: Treatment needs are different for every patient. Yes, some people do need to have teeth removed even though it is not something they desire. But treatment depends on various things such as: Is the tooth decayed? And how much decay is there? How much solid tooth structure remains? Is there a serious infection involved? How is the patient doing with their oral hygiene? What is the medical status of the patient?

Q: Why is the waitlist so long for my child to have surgery?

A: For the Anchorage and surrounding area our staff is making its best effort to address all the needs of its pediatric population. Please be patient with our staff, our primary concern is pediatric care, but our pediatric dentists have limited time available for dental surgeries and the population needs are immense. Currently we have over 300 children waiting to be seen

Education Opportunities:

POSTGRADUATE ADVANCED DENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM IN GENERAL PRACTICE RESIDENCY AT THE ALASKA NATIVE MEDICAL CENTER ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

The Southcentral Foundation Dental Program offers postgraduate advanced dental education in a two year Advanced General Practice Residency Program (AGPR) at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC), in Anchorage, Alaska. The residency is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post Secondary Accreditation and by the United States Department of Education.

Upon completion of the residency, the Graduate is awarded a certificate and is eligible to challenge the American Board of General Dentistry (ABGD) and receive Board Certified Pay if successful. Additionally, the graduate of the AGPR qualifies to receive Multi-year Retention Bonus per IHS policy.

The AGPR program prepares the general dentist for hospital dental practice with special emphasis on care for the medically compromised patient. Training includes medical risk assessment and rotations through anesthesia and emergency medicine. Clinical training in the dental specialties is provided for all ages from infants to the elderly. At the completion of the program the graduate is expected to be able to diagnose oral and maxillofacial diseases and provide dental care in the context of each patient's total health care, communicate and function effectively with other health care professionals in the IHS and understand the role of these professionals and the organization, and plan and provide both routine and complex dental care for a wide variety of patients by applying advanced knowledge and clinical and public health skills.

Additionally, the AGPR Program provides training in Dental Public Health, Leadership, Management, and Service Unit Administration. Graduates of the AGPR are targeted for senior leadership billets in the general practice career track (O-5 / O-6 billets). Graduates of the AGPR Program should expect post-residency assignment at the O-5 level or higher. A minimum two year tour of duty is expected of the dentist in the post-residency assignment.

More about ANMC:

The Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska is the largest hospital in the Indian Health Service with over 1500 employees. It is the tertiary care referral center for the Alaska Area Native Health Service; it is also a teaching and research facility. ANMC is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations and is a member of the American Hospital Association. The medical center provides health care to over 104,000 Alaska Native and Native Americans residing within the Anchorage Service Unit as well as specialty service to patients referred from all other Service Units in the Alaska Area.

Departments of Anesthesiology, Dentistry, Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Psychiatry, Radiology and Surgery provide comprehensive care. The Dental Department provides dental care for outpatients, inpatients and referred patients. The Department of Dentistry participates equally with the departments in planning, management, and provision of health care services for patients.

The Southcentral Foundation Dental Program clinic at the ANMC is a new twenty three operatory start-of-the-art facility. Additionally, the Southcentral Foundation Dental Program operates a twenty seven operatory orthodontic and adult care clinic nearby. The Alaska Area Office is adjacent to the Alaska Native Medical Center complex. Diagnostic, preventive, restorative, prosthetic, oral surgery, periodontic, pedodontic, endodontic, orthodontic, and emergency dental service are provided to outpatients and inpatients. Complex cases are referred from Service Units and Tribal Programs throughout the state of Alaska for consultation and treatment. The Southcentral Foundation Dental Program currently employees, approximately 150 staff members.

Advanced education program in general practice residency (AGPR):

This is a 24 month hospital based ADA accredited program which prepares career oriented dentists of the Indian Health Service for Senior Leadership Billets (O-5/O-6) in the general practice career tract.

• Requires two years prior IHS service
• Provides advanced training in management, leadership, dental public health and service unit administration
• Advanced clinical training in the dental specialty areas
• Extensive lecture series in the dental specialty areas
• Extensive individualized clinical training with dental specialists
• Rotations with the anesthesia service and department of emergency medicine Training in medical risk assessment and physical diagnosis
• Training in hospital dentistry
• Training in field dentistry with travel to isolated and remote rural Alaskan villages
• A two year AGPR certificate awarded upon completion
• Qualifies graduate to challenge the Federal Services Board of General Dentistry
• Commissioned officers revceive ASP during residency
• Qualifies commissioned officer graduates for multiyear retention bonus per IHS policy

General information:

The residency program begins in July. Vacancies are announced each fall in the year preceding the start of the residency training through the IHS distribution network. Competitive selections are typically made in December of the year preceding the start of the residency training.

Applicants must meet the following basic criteria:




Information and Application:

Residents are selected on a competitive basis. Applicants to the AGPR training program must meet the following criteria:

• Must have completed two years of creditable service in the IHS Dental Program at the time training begins and be on extended active duty at the time training begins (Commissioned Corps/Tribal Employee)
• Must be engaged in the full time practice of dentistry and meet credentialing requirements of the Southcentral Foundation Dental Program and Alaska Native Medical Center
• Have obtained a dental degree (DDS/DMD) from an accredited United States Dental School
• Possess a current, valid dental license from any state in the United States

Each applicant must provide the following information as part of the application process:

• Application for Training for PHS Commissioned Personnel (PHS form 1122-1) and Report of Medical History (DD form 2807-1). These forms are available from Dr. James M. Logan at (907) 729-2034, or the Division of Commissioned Personnel (301) 594-2919, or at your local administrative office
• PHS Intramural Long Term Training Agreement (PHS attached form 6347)
• IHS Dental Long Term Training Agreement
• Three Letters of Recommendation: One each from the applicant's Area Dental Officer (if you have one) and current direct supervisor. The third letter can be from anyone having knowledge of the applicants professional skills, duties and performance (IHS specialists, dental colleagues ect.). The letters should address the applicant's interpersonal skills, performance, and general work habits
• Statement of Intent: A narrative statement describing the reasons for seeking the AGPR, including a statement of short and long term professional interests, career goals; include a statement about how the residency will help achieve these goals
• Commissioned Officers Effectiveness Reports (COERS): Copies of two most recent COERS. Final Dental School Transcripts: If the transcript does not indicate class rank, Please submit a letter from the dental school indicating overall rank
• Current CV or Resume: Include dental program responsibilities and accomplishments, training experiences, awards, professional activities, and publications ect.
• Call to the AGPR Director to discuss residency program and career intent

Selection is a competitive process based on the above information. Candidates must submit the items requested above to be considered (in one packet please) Applications will be received from Oct to Dec of the year preceding the start of residency training. Completed applications are reviewed by the residency director, AGPR faculty, and Tribal administrators. Selections are made based on the information received via the application process. Applicants are notified of the results of the selection process and personnel actions are initiated at the residency sites accordingly.

Applicants for the AGPR will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Experience
• Billets
• Areas Served
• Scholastics
• Performance
• Career Potential

If you are interested in the Advanced Education Program in General Practice Residency at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska and would like additional information about the program - including a copy of the residency manual please contact:

Capt. James M. Logan, DMD (RET.)
Director, AGPR
ANMC Dental Department
4315 Diplomacy Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907)729-2034