Collaboration between Coast Guard, Dental Therapy enhances access to care and force readiness

A collaborative effort between the United States Coast Guard and the School of Dentistry seeks to enhance access to care.

A desire to incorporate dental therapy into the health care delivery team inspired the Coast Guard to approach the school’s Division of Dental Therapy and pursue a partnership model. Over five years beginning in the fall of 2024, each dental therapy class will include up to two guardsmen.

For Karl Self, DDS, MBA, director of the Division of Dental Therapy, the Coast Guard’s desire for partnership reflects strong confidence in the program “What really excites me is that a major branch of our military felt our program was worth engaging with in an effort to incorporate this new member of the oral health care team into their workforce,” he said. “They understood that we would provide a quality education, and that folks would return to the Coast Guard as an asset to their care delivery teams.”

The learners coming into the program from the Coast Guard bring with them a different variety of life experience than traditional dental therapy learners—the guardsmen are typically older and have a history of service. “These students come with passion, but also experiences in health care,” Self explained. “They’ve been EMTs in the military, or have been involved with care at a level that our other applicants have not. That previous experience will be a huge positive, that will help support the passion that all of our students have.”

The first two learners to join the program have brought that passion and excitement already.

Jasmine Chapman, BSDH ’26, MDT ’27, had “had a very long journey” to where she is today. Born in Kathmandu, Nepal, she first traveled to the United States as an exchange student and decided to stay. She joined the Coast Guard after graduating with a biomedical degree, in hopes of pursuing professional education.

“I have always had a passion for health care and serving others,” she explained. That passion drove her to become a health services technician for the Coast Guard, where she received training as a dental assistant. She enjoyed the opportunity to work with her hands and serve in a smaller community setting. The opportunity to pursue dental therapy excited her, as it provided the chance to further her skills and pursue more hands-on care.

“I am loving what I’m learning at the University of Minnesota,” she reflected. “I’m trying to soak in every bit, so I can use it to serve the military population. There’s so much more to keep learning, and I’m looking forward to it.”

And as she learns, Champan looks forward to the impact she will have on her fellow service members. “Being in military health services for ten years, I’ve seen how the shortage of providers not only puts service members at risk and affects operational readiness, but also puts pressure on providers trying to care for them,” she explained. It makes me happy that I can do something to help and ease that burden.”

Javier Carrasquillo Marrero, BSDH ’26, MDT ’27, joined the Coast Guard “after witnessing its critical role in humanitarian efforts during Hurricane Maria in 2016.”

Marrero’s work included a Hurricane Response Team in Louisville, KY, an anti-terrorism unit in the Kingdom of Bahrain, training as a Health Services Technician in Petaluma, CA, and service as a health services technician and collateral dental assistant in Ketchikan, Alaska.

“During these experiences, I realized the significant shortage of dental providers within the service,” he explained. “Recognizing this need sparked my passion for dental therapy and motivated me to pursue this career path.”

Marrero has enjoyed learning and practicing the technical skills necessary to provide care and looks forward to training in restorative procedures and participating in Outreach opportunities. “I hope to be well-trained to impact both civilian and military communities positively,” he explained.

Marrero knows that his training as a dental therapist will make him a better clinician and guardsman. “I can help reduce members’ disqualifications due to dental issues by providing preventative and restorative care, ensuring operational readiness in the Coast Guard,” he said. “Addressing the need for accessible dental care within the military will allow me to contribute directly to the wellbeing and resilience of those who serve.”