The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) have become the first tribes in Oregon to hire a dental therapist.
Naomi Petrie, a CTCLUSI member, began work on July 17.
Dental therapists are authorized to practice in several tribal communities in Oregon as part of that state's Dental Pilot Project Program, CTCLUSI is partnering with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board to train and employ dental therapists under this pilot program.