Jessica Ann Rickert | |
---|---|
Born | Michigan |
Alma mater | University of Michigan School of Dentistry |
Occupation | Dentist |
Known for | Being the first female American Indian dentist in America |
Jessica Ann Rickert (born 1950) became the first female American Indian dentist in America upon graduating with a DDS from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1975. [1] [2] [3] She was one of only six women in a class of 140 students. [4] She is a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and a direct descendant of the Indian chief Wahbememe (Whitepigeon). [5] [6]
Rickert grew up in Wyoming, Michigan. [3] She graduated high school in 1968. Initially dismissed by her high school guidance counselor when she said she wanted to study medicine, Rickert went on to attend the University of Michigan for her undergraduate degree and her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. [3] [7]
In the 1980s, Rickert learned from George Blue Spruce, the first American Indian dentist in the United States and Assistant Surgeon General, that she was the first female American Indian dentist. [7] Additionally, she is also a founder of the Society of American Indian Dentists, which was founded in 1990, as well as the Native American Student Association. [4] [8] [7] She encourages American Indians and other underrepresented students to consider dentistry and has worked with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the Saginaw Chippewa tribes for education and dental services. [7] [5]
Rickert received the American Dental Association's Access Recognition Award in 2005 for her dental advice column featured in American Indian newspapers. [7]
She was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2009. [4]
In 2022, she received the American Dental Education Association’s William J. Gies Award for Achievement. [9]
A number of professional degrees in dentistry are offered by dental schools in various countries around the world.
The UCLA School of Dentistry is the dental school of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) located in the Center for Health Sciences building in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States. The school has several educational and training programs, conducts oral and dental health research, and offers affordable dental care at three locations: Westwood, Venice, and Inglewood. The school also participates in several outreach endeavors, including numerous health fairs during the year, STEM pipeline programs and provides dental care for underserved populations in the region. The School of Dentistry is considered among the nation's best research-intensive dental schools.
Lucy Hobbs Taylor was an American dentist, known for being the first woman to graduate from dental school.
The Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) is the dental school of Indiana University. It is located on the Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis campus in downtown Indianapolis. It is the only dental school in Indiana.
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is a non-profit organization that works to further the education of dental professionals and the advancement of academic dental programs in Canada and the United States. Founded in 1923 as the American Association of Dental Schools, ADEA is based in Washington, D.C.
The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, often abbreviated CDM, is one of the 21 graduate and professional schools of Columbia University. It is located at 630 West 168th Street in Manhattan, New York City. According to American Dental Education Association, CDM is one of the most selective dental schools in the United States based on average DAT score, GPA, and acceptance rate. In 2017, 1,657 people applied for 84 positions in its entering class. The median undergraduate GPA and average DAT score for successful applicants in 2020 were 3.62 and 22.8, respectively.
Dennis Perry Tarnow is an American dentist specializing in periodontics, prosthodontics and implant dentistry and is known for his mark on dental implant research and education. He is currently director of implant dentistry at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and former chairman of the department of periodontics and implant dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry. He is a sought after speaker on the subject of implant dentistry.
The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is the dental school of the University of Michigan, a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Established in 1875, the School of Dentistry engages in oral and craniofacial health care education, research, patient care and community service.
There is a long history of women in dentistry in the United States.
There is a long history of women in dentistry. Women are depicted as assistant dentists in the Middle Ages. Prior to the 19th century, dentistry was largely not yet a clearly defined and regulated profession with formal educational requirements. Individual female dentists are known from the 18th century. When the profession was regulated in the 19th century, it took a while before women achieved the formal education and permission to engage in dentistry.
Gillette Hayden (1880-1929) was a pioneering dentist and periodontist in the early 20th century. She was a founder of the American Academy of Periodontology and served as the first female President of the organization in 1916.
No-Hee Park is a distinguished professor of dentistry and dean emeritus at the School of Dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is also a researcher and scientist in the field of oral and craniofacial research. He has more than 170 scientific publications, nine invited review articles, nine book chapters and 180 abstracts for national and international scientific presentations.
Robert W. McNulty (1897-1966) was a dental educator. He was president of the American Dental Education Association in 1960.
Esther Mae Wilkins was an American dental hygienist, dentist and author of the first comprehensive book on dental hygiene, Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. The dental instrument known as the Wilkins/Tufts Explorer was named after her.
Clifton O. Dummett, Sr. (1919–2011) was a noted American dentist, dental professor and dean, and dental historian.
Richard C. Vinci is a retired United States Navy rear admiral. He served as the 35th Chief of the United States Navy Dental Corps. He retired in July 2011, after 42 years of naval service. Admiral Vinci is a member of the International College of Dentists, Academy of Operative Dentistry, American Dental Association, American Board of Operative Dentistry, and the American College of Dentists.
Jocelyne S. Feine is an American Prosthodontist and internationally recognized dental researcher.
Clemens Vincent Rault was a rear admiral in the United States Navy and dean of the Georgetown University School of Dentistry. He served as the Chief of the United States Navy Dental Corps twice, from 1932 to 1933 and again from 1948 to 1950.
Jessica Y. Lee is an American dentist. She is the Demeritt Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry in the Adams School of Dentistry at the UNC School of Dentistry. In 2019, Lee was elected president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She also explores treatments for pediatric patients who have lost teeth through trauma and for patients with permanent teeth.