Video ᏣᎳᎩ

 Dental
Senior Director Dr. Stefan Hacker, left, members of Cherokee Nation Health
Services and CN elected officials commemorate the announcement of a new dental
clinic with a ground breaking on Feb. 23. in Salina, Okla. (Photo by Jami Custer)


By Jami Custer
Staff Writer

SALINA, Okla. – Cherokee Nation Health Services officials on Feb. 23 broke ground at the Amo Health Center on the tribe’s sixth dental clinic, something that has been in the works for nearly a decade. 

“This will tremendously help our patients in this area,” Melissa Gower, Health Services group leader, said. “Once opened, the facility will be adding new staff and equipment to ensure the best overall care for our citizens and our patients from other tribes. We have looked forward to this day for a long time.”

The clinic is expected to have eight dental chairs and state-of-the-art equipment, costing more than $500,000, to allow citizens a more enjoyable time while utilizing the clinic. Clinic plans also include electronic dental records, digital radiology for X-rays and monitors for patients. 

Officials said tribal citizens in the area travel great distances to receive dental care since the only CN dental clinics are located in Tahlequah, Muskogee, Jay, Sallisaw and Stilwell. However, in less than a year, tribal officials said that should not be the case because they hope the Salina dental clinic to be functional. Another dental clinic is planned for Vinita.

The groundbreaking in Salina was music to some local residents’ ears.

“I never thought I would see this day come,” said CN citizen Lavonne Littledave. “It is great that we are going to have a dentist here. I’m very excited.” 

Gower said the addition would not only make dental care more accessible for citizens, but the clinic would also stimulate more jobs for the area, including dentists, a dental hygienist, two desk attendees and dental assistants.

The Amo Health Center currently provides outpatient medical services, pediatrics, public health nursing, laboratory, pharmacy, community nutrition, radiology, optometry, behavioral health, WIC and contract care. In 2009, the health center provided more than 45,000 patient visits to individuals needing health care.

The center is located on 10 acres of land where it is said CN citizens and other area residents traded for salt. This is why the facility is referred to as Amo, which translated in Cherokee to “the salt place.”

Gower said Dist. 6 Tribal Councilors Meredith Frailey and Chris Soap have worked diligently with the health group on making this idea reality.

“(Meredith) and Chris worked very hard with us to insure that we are able to fulfill this day for the community members that live here in Mayes County,” she said. “We’re excited to do that so you don’t have to drive to Jay or Tahlequah or some other place to get your dental services.”

Principal Chief Chad Smith said it was a great day for the CN, its citizens and other Native Americans living in the area.

“We are dedicated to working with our communities, families and individuals to promote and improve their health. This clinic will help us achieve that goal,” he said. “This will result in healthy communities for this and future generations.”

Reach Staff Writer Jami Custer at (918) 453-5560 or jami-custer@cherokee.org