Dental Health Aide Therapists (DHAT)
Dental health aide therapists provide professional and culturally competent dental care and prevention services to rural Alaska and improving access to dental care for Alaska Native people.
The Alaska Dental Therapy Educational Program is offered by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) in partnership with Ilisagvik Tribal College. DHAT students complete a two-year program with ANTHC and Ilisagvik College, then complete 400 hours of preceptorship with a supervising dentist at SCF. The first year (pre-clinical and didactic) is completed in Anchorage, and the second year (clinical) is completed in Bethel, AK. Preceptorship Completion of the program and preceptorship results in an associate degree eligibility to apply for their certification through the Alaska Community Health Aide Program Certification Board (CHAPCB).
Applications are now open for the Southcentral Foundation Dental Health Aide Therapist (DHAT) Scholarship opportunity. Upon completion of the DHAT training program with ANTHC and Ilisagvik, and preceptorship hours with Southcentral Foundation, the DHAT student will be eligible to apply for a DHAT position within one of SCF’s Dental clinics.
| Day Classes |
Class schedule | Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday: additional hours may be required by course |
Length of program | 12 months in Anchorage and then 12 months in Bethel |
Length of service obligation | 3 years from date of hire as a DHAT |
Scholarship Amount | All costs and fees associated with the program will be covered by the SCF Scholarship Program |
Stipend Amount | $1,500 per month |
Rent Amount | Up to $1,500 per month in Anchorage/up to $2400 per month in Bethel |
Travel Amount | Will include initial travel to Bethel, travel to Anchorage from Bethel and back to Bethel for Christmas, and travel from Bethel to Anchorage upon completion of the program |
Qualifications
- 18+ years old
- Alaska Native or American Indian descent, must provide Certificate of Indian Blood or Bureau of Indian Affairs Card
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Minimum GPA 2.0 or higher
- SCF background check