This week, we feature Dental Health Aide Therapist Mikayla Kassaiuli. She shares her story in her own words.

My name is Mikayla Ayapan Kassaiuli and my ancestors are primarily from Newtok and Hooper Bay. I also grew up in Bethel and Akiachak, but I call Newtok my hometown. Yup’ik is my first language and English is my second language. Some of my hobbies include reading, drawing, singing, learning, listening to music, watching videos, snapchatting with friends and staying home. I have a huge family and relatives that live throughout the YK Delta.

While growing up, my mom always told the doctors and nurses that she wanted me to work in the healthcare field. They were always open to my millions of questions and would let me try to do something new every time, even if it was just learning to wash my hands. One of the most interesting places to me was the dental department. All the equipment and instruments they used fascinated me, as well as the fish tank, cartoons and toys and having my questions answered before the start of my dental procedures. These experiences led me into a career in healthcare.

I first started working with dental in July of 2019 as a dental assistant. Then in 2021, I applied for the Alaska Dental Therapy Education Program (ADTEP) and started the program in July 2022. After applying to ADTEP, I then applied to Ilisagvik College and took online classes. It took two years to complete the program and earn a degree; my first year being in Anchorage and second year being in Bethel for more hands-on learning. After successfully completing the program, I earned my Associates in Applied Science in Dental Health Therapy.

Some of the highlights of my journey were making new friends, learning new skills, meeting professors in person for the first time and seeing my first patients in procedures I only assisted with in the past. I have always enjoyed working in dental and being able to further my education was a goal I wanted to complete. Another big highlight for me was going to Utqiagvik to graduate. It was my first time there and it was cold!! I enjoyed watching my classmates graduate as well. There were only 6 of us and we all had a good two years together.

One challenge I had was moving a lot, as every year I was either moving to another place or a new apartment. There weren’t really any struggles I came across besides moving a lot. One success in my journey was being able to be flexible and adjust to my surroundings. Also, being able to push myself to do procedures that made me nervous, like taking out a tooth or getting someone numb in the mouth.

I think the most rewarding part of my job is seeing a person smile after getting a filling, a child being able to walk out of the dental office happy with accomplishing something nerve-wrecking for them, having people tell me that they’re happy I’m Native and being in the provider role, and being able to provide care for my people.

I think my work has impacted YKHC by having people like me see that we can do things we set our minds to. There were not many Native providers that I saw growing up and being able to influence and help to change the mindset in my region to continue to support and increase the number of Alaska Native providers is very big, for me at least.

What I want students/employees to know is that if you’re passionate about a specific job or career, you can do a lot you set your mind to. The mind is strong and can significantly impact how you see things and can help you accomplish whatever you want to do!

Quyana cakneq Ayapan for all your hard work and years of service at YKHC!