Alaska - SEARHC (Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium) - AEGD

Please be aware that this location will not be participatingin Match for this cycle.

Health Center Contact:
Dr. Maria Sipin (msipin@searhc.org)

Name of Training Site: 
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC)

Training Site Information:
SEARHC is a distinguished non-profit health consortium dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the residents of Southeast Alaska. Established in 1975 under the provisions of the Indian Self-Determination Act, SEARHC has played a pivotal role in advancing the health and well-being of the Alaskan communities it serves. 

SEARHC’s history is one of resilience, innovation, and community collaboration. What began as a response to the unique healthcare needs of Alaska’s remote and diverse populations has evolved into a model of integrated care that encompasses medical, dental, behavioral health, and community-based services.

What is the mission of your training site?
SEARHC’s mission is Alaska Native People working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities. Our training site strives to train dentists who will excel in both public health and private practice settings. 

What types of dental services can I expect to perform?
At SEARHC, we provide comprehensive dental care for our patients. This includes but is not limited to diagnostic exams, emergency dental care, composite restorations, crown and bridge work, implants, simple and surgical extractions, partial and complete dentures, and endodontics (including molars). Residents also have opportunities to experience specialty rotations with staff pediatric dentists, periodontists, oral surgeons, endodontists, prosthodontists, and orthodontists. When patients require services that are more complex, we schedule the patients during these specialty rotations or provide a referral to a local specialist.

What types of technologies can I expect to use
Residents also have the unique opportunity to participate in immersive, week-long trips to remote Alaskan communities. These experiences, guided by a faculty dentist, allow residents to deliver much-needed dental care to underserved populations while developing advanced clinical skills, cultural competence, and a strong sense of service.

• All clinic operatories have up-to-date Adec equipment, digital radiography, and electronic health records.
  • CAD / CAM fixed system
    • Dentsply Sirona Primescan
    • Dentsply Sirona CEREC Primemill
  • Diode Laser
  • CBCT
  • Digital Dentures
  • Dentsply Sirona Primescan
  • Avadent Digital Dental Solutions
  • Endodontics
    • Rotary endodontic handpieces and files
    • Endodontic microscope
  • Dental Software
    • Dentrix Enterprise Software
    • Dexis Radiography

What is the patient population?
Our focus is to treat Alaska Native and American Indian patients; however, our clinics are open to all individuals in Southeast Alaska.

What is life like outside of the training site?
Juneau is rich with history, culture, natural beauty, a bustling food scene, and wildlife. You can walk the Downtown Historic District or take a short drive to the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. There are endless options for outdoor activities including kayaking, whale watching, hiking, fishing, camping, wildlife viewing or mountain biking — all within minutes from the clinic. Do you like to ski? Eaglecrest ski area on Douglas Island is just a 15-minute drive from the clinic, with big mountain terrain and stunning views. Juneau has no shortage of great places to eat, drink and shop. Thanks to the waters that surround the city, fresh local seafood is in abundance. Juneau is also home to multiple award-winning breweries, as well as a budding coffee scene with two local roasteries. 

Juneau’s climate is similar to much of Southeast Alaska and Pacific Northwest coastal areas. Rain is common throughout most months of the year. Winters can get icy and snowy with temperatures dropping into the 20s. This can be great for those who want to enjoy winter sports. Summers are cool and overcast with the weather staying wet year-round and temperatures hovering in the 60s. 

Residents work (4) 10-hour days in order to have an extra day to enjoy the beautiful Alaska landscape and culture.

Will residents have the opportunity to restore and/or place implants at your training site?
Residents have the opportunity to place and restore implants, based on patients’ need.  

Will residents treat children in your training site?
Yes, though it is not an emphasis of the program.  There are rotations with Board Certified Pediatric Dentists 2-4 times a year, and there is potential for providing services under general anesthesia in an operating room setting.