Ron Nagel, D.D.S., M.P.H. 2010 Award Recipient

Pictured (from left): Chris Halliday, Ron Nagel, and Myron Allukian Jr.

Ron Nagel, D.D.S., M.P.H., received the Myron Allukian Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievements in Community Dental Programs Award at the American Association for Community Dental Programs' annual symposium on April 25, 2010, in St. Louis.

Chris Halliday, D.D.S., Chief Dental Officer, U.S. Public Health Service, and Director, Indian Health Service Dental Program, described Dr. Nagel’s dedication to promoting oral health and better access to oral health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives in the 22 years that Dr. Nagel worked for the Indian Health Service.

Dr. Nagel initiated the Alaska dental health therapist program and helped make it a reality. He was known for his high standards and his integrity. He worked tirelessly to improve access to oral health care for a population with oral disease rates of 2.5 times the national average; these in individuals live in a rural area of 600,000 square miles with no roads, no electricity, no running water, and no dentists. Dr. Nagel devoted himself to making oral health services available for this neglected population, despite opposition by organized dentistry at the state and national levels. Since the implementation of the dental therapist program in Alaska, Minnesota became the first state to pass legislation allowing dental therapists to perform certain oral health services, and the program has changed the national debate over the dental work force.