Dental Scholar Begins Work to Establish 1st Dental School in Liberia

Flossing was another story.

"None of the students knew what flossing was," Ananaba said. "But I came prepared and brought some crocheting yarn with me. When I was at each school, I had the students hold up several fingers on one of their hands and then demonstrated how to floss by moving the yarn between their fingers."

Ananaba talked to the students about dentistry and answered their questions about how she became interested in the profession. She said they were amused to hear her interest in the profession began following a roller skating accident when she chipped several teeth and that, as she was leaving the dentist's office, she told the dentist that she "wanted to become his dental helper."

However, as she talked to the students, Ananaba was surprised to learn something else.

None of them had heard about the Internet or how it could be used to find information about dentistry or oral health care.

"As I was describing what the Internet is and the information that's available, I thought if I answered their questions as best I could and showed enthusiasm about dentistry and how dentists help people, then maybe some of them might begin seriously thinking about it as a career," she said.

As she left the schools, Ananaba told students, "Someday, I hope to see you studying dentistry at a dental school here in Liberia."

They responded.

"When I arrived at the schools, most said they wanted to become medical doctors, nurses, or lawyers. Not one mentioned dentistry," she said. "But by the time I was leaving, four or five said they wanted to become dentists."

She also encouraged the youngsters to become ambassadors of dentistry.

"I told them, 'go home and tell your mothers, fathers, and friends about dentistry and how to care of your teeth. Have your own Show and Tell program and demonstrate the correct way to brush your teeth and to floss'," she said.

"A Duty to Give Back to My Country, My Society"

Ananaba's preliminary research at the schools was well received by academic and government officials.

She said Freeman, the dean of the medical school at the University of Liberia, liked her idea about establishing a dental school in Liberia. "He added that a pharmacy school was recently established and that it's expanding the knowledge base of those in the medical profession," she said. "He thought a dental school could do the same and encouraged me to pursue my idea."

Currently, Liberians studying to become a dentist do so at a college or university in a neighboring country and don't return. Ananaba wants that to change.

During one of two nationwide radio interviews, Ananaba explained why she thinks it's important to establish a dental school in her country.

"We cannot always rely on other countries, or other people, to do things for us. We have to make things happen for ourselves," she said. "I see it as my duty to give something back to my country and my society."

In April, Ananaba spoke to the Liberian Medical Association in Alabama about her desire to establish a dental school. This summer she plans to return to Liberia. "My dental studies here at Michigan and the Dental Scholars program are keeping me busy," she said. "But I would like to, and build on the success of the meetings that I had," she added.

As she discussed her experiences, Ananaba said, "I don't think any of this would have happened had I not been here at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry or been accepted into the Dental Scholars program.

"What I have learned about dentistry and the dental profession by being at this School, and talking to others across campus, including those at the Business School, the School of Public Health, and the School of Public Policy, has helped me tremendously."