Practicing dentistry in Alaska....?

[Concepcion10]

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Is there anybody that can chime in with some hard data or personal experience with practicing in Alaska? I am most interested in going through NHSC or the Indian Health reserve and would like to get some information in regard to salary, loan repayment, patient pool...the overall experience. Although I am not a registered Native American I have lived in various places for extended periods of time among indigenous populations and trully enjoy the culture. Thanks!!

 

[briansle]

i'm curious as well.

been getting emails about job offers to work in Alaska in a tribal healthcare services. Seems interesting. Good pay, benefits, even a relocation allowance.

Anyone know more about these jobs?

 

[Concepcion10]

Briansle....If you don't mind answering my terribly tacky question... How much are they willing to offer as per salary?

 

[srb711]

Contact IHS (which is the Indian Health Service, not "reserve") or go to their website to check on vacancies (http://www.ihs.gov/JobsCareerDevelop/CareerCenter/Vacancy/). The second posting under Alaska right now is for a dentist ($135,00-170,000).

 

[Kabek]

Contact IHS (which is the Indian Health Service, not "reserve") or go to their website to check on vacancies (http://www.ihs.gov/JobsCareerDevelop/CareerCenter/Vacancy/). The second posting under Alaska right now is for a dentist ($135,00-170,000).

As you progress in your dental career you will quickly learn there are things much more important then the dollars.

This is an internet forum so one must make take it as such. However, I spent a number of years working for a native corporation in Alaska. It was without a doubt the worst years of my life. There was unethical, dishonorable behavior from the highest levels of leadership all the way down. During my time there 3 different dentists quit for the exact same reasons I did. I finished my obligation and departed immediately. There is a reason why they are always recruiting people for specific positions.

That being said if you have the opportunity to live in Alaska you will not regret it, I just hope your employment opportunity was better then mine.

 

[8 SNAKE]

That being said if you have the opportunity to live in Alaska you will not regret it, I just hope your employment opportunity was better then mine.

What are the prospects like for private practices up there? Are larger places like Juneau and Anchorage saturated?

 

[SeattleRDH]

What are the prospects like for private practices up there? Are larger places like Juneau and Anchorage saturated?

Yes. There is much more competition in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. However, many of the dentists are nearing retirement age and are interested in picking up an associate that will buy them out in a few years.

For those that have never been to Alaska: You really need to visit sometime between November and February to experience a true Alaskan winter. There is a reason why seasonal affective disorder is a MAJOR problem, as well as high rates of alcoholism and domestic violence. I really hope that doesn't deter you from considering Alaska (we REALLY need more healthcare providers) but it's something to consider that might not make the money worth it.

p.s. try Sitka, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Wrangell, Haines, Craig.... The climate is milder and S.E. Alaska has great communities (with excellent fishing)

 

[srb711]

As you progress in your dental career you will quickly learn there are things much more important then the dollars.

This is an internet forum so one must make take it as such. However, I spent a number of years working for a native corporation in Alaska. It was without a doubt the worst years of my life. There was unethical, dishonorable behavior from the highest levels of leadership all the way down. During my time there 3 different dentists quit for the exact same reasons I did. I finished my obligation and departed immediately. There is a reason why they are always recruiting people for specific positions.

That being said if you have the opportunity to live in Alaska you will not regret it, I just hope your employment opportunity was better then mine.

What corporation did you work for? Was it recent?

I did an externship at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage and enjoyed it... but ANMC is far from the dental clinics ran by corporations.

 

[KinKs]

the salaries are quite competitive in my opinion. the only thing I don't like is the flying around in small plane especially given recent event involving small planes in Alaska

 

[SeattleRDH]

the salaries are quite competitive in my opinion. the only thing I don't like is the flying around in small plane especially given recent event involving small planes in Alaska

People die every year in small plane crashes in Alaska. You only hear about them on national news when it's a bunch of tourists or someone famous. There are many small towns in Alaska that are accessible by commercial jets, just look up where Alaska Airlines flies.

 

[redrocksdentist]

Offered 132k to start in the interior with free housing, 30 days leave and relocation allowance. However SE alaska is where everyone wants to be... milder climate, tourism in the summer and every quasi retired dentist from the lower 48 wants to go there as a locum tenens to practice dentistry and halibut fish. The competition for positions is MUCH greater.

From guys I've talked to the issues are lazy DAs, and the isolation. I'm IHS in AZ working for the tribe, but I know several COs who practiced up there. The tundra is a whole different game from SE alaska. You gotta take a plane or 2 to just go to WalMart. Your social life consists of the people around you, so you either love it or you hate it.

Anyone can do it for a year, but IHS loan repayment is 2 years, remember that. Good luck to you.

 

[KinKs]

I actually don't mind doing it for two year - I just hate flying. there must be opportunities without flying int the job description

 

[KinKs]

I actually don't mind doing it for two year - I just hate flying. there must be opportunities without flying int the job description

 

[SeattleRDH]

Offered 132k to start in the interior with free housing, 30 days leave and relocation allowance. However SE alaska is where everyone wants to be... milder climate, tourism in the summer and every quasi retired dentist from the lower 48 wants to go there as a locum tenens to practice dentistry and halibut fish. The competition for positions is MUCH greater.

From guys I've talked to the issues are lazy DAs, and the isolation. I'm IHS in AZ working for the tribe, but I know several COs who practiced up there. The tundra is a whole different game from SE alaska. You gotta take a plane or 2 to just go to WalMart. Your social life consists of the people around you, so you either love it or you hate it.

Anyone can do it for a year, but IHS loan repayment is 2 years, remember that. Good luck to you.

Maybe this is true for public health but private practice dentists are having a hard time selling their practices in SE. And don't think the weather is all wonderful either. I'm from Ketchikan and there are MAYBE 60 days in a whole year that you can see the sun in the sky. It rains 13-15 feet a year there. 4 times more than Seattle.

 

[minoh87]

yeaa my uncle used to help out this dentist in anchorage for a little while. he told me that that guy's practice does VERY well because of low competition. He recommends it but its in Alaska so I dont think it will be for everyone..

 

[redrocksdentist]

....And don't think the weather is all wonderful either. I'm from Ketchikan and there are MAYBE 60 days in a whole year that you can see the sun in the sky. It rains 13-15 feet a year there. 4 times more than Seattle.

Yeah okay but compared to Barrow or Kotzubue?

 

[kmason34]

I am a fourth year student and am looking to relocate to the Anchorage area. Anyone have any advice on how to find associateships? Or know anyone looking to hire an associate?