Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Dr. Daniel Hovsepian, DMD started working at the Akwesasne Dental Clinic in Kanonhkwatsheri:io part time in 2007. He is now excited to say that he recently purchased the practice. Hovsepian has been here 8 years, and plans on staying a long time.

There have been complaints of the lack of a regular dentist and consistent provider at the clinic. "Patients couldn't build a relationship with their dentist, and you really need to do that. It's nerve racking seeing a different person every time they come in," said Hovsepian. That problem is no longer an issue.

Grand Chief Mike Mitchell and District Chief Joe Lazore welcomed Dr. Hovsepian on behalf of Mohawk Council. Mitchell said, "We have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. So we welcome him. And the fact that it continues to operate under this system is good for the people here and for the community. We are proud of the staff and to have an experienced dentist."

"You can depend on them being here. This is a good staff, good quality service that everyone is satisfied with, and they have a good relationship with the community. The clinic also employs community members, which is important," added Chief Joe Lazore.

Dr. Hovsepian was born and raised in Montreal and studied at the University of Montreal. He graduated dentistry in 2005. He went to Rochester for one year and graduated postdoctoral in 2006 in the Dentistry program to further hone his skills.

"I wanted to focus my career on community dentistry," he said.

He worked for one year at a community dental office in Brockport, NY near Rochester, and also worked in Nunavut in the Inuit communities. He added, "It's been my favorite to work here."

Dr. Hovsepian still lives in Montreal and drives three hours a day to work here. He has been committed to the clinic for many years and has been looking forward to buying it.

Purchasing the practice has given him more freedom to work on community-oriented projects. He has a few going right now and is always on the lookout for more.

One project is a sports guard initiative. All kids up to age 12 with native status can get free sports guards from Hovsepian. Residency does not matter, and the sport does not matter, this is a year round initiative.

"I see kids with a lot of sports injuries and they are all preventable. It's heartbreaking to see those injuries. At that age the mouth is constantly changing so sports guards can get expensive. This is one project being very well received, parents are appreciative."

Dr. Hovsepian has also partnered with Laura Thompson from the St. Regis Rec Dance Group. He said Laura told him how the program builds confidence and self esteem.

"I love the entire concept of what she is doing. That's the kind of collaboration I'm looking for, where Akwesasne residents can benefit, especially the kids, they are our future."

And Hovsepian realizes elders are just as important. He explained how it's not always easy for elders to get out to the dentist. So, he visits Iakhihsohtha and Tsiionkwanonhso:te and does assessments about once every six weeks.

"I want to make sure things are ok, that they are not feeling any pain. My grandparents were at a nursing home and I would go check them and I thought, how many more need that service? Sometimes just a quick look can catch something like an infection and then we recommend further action."

Hovsepian is in the process of going to the schools on a regular basis and would like to eventually do dental screenings in the schools.

Also community oriented, and keeping in the spirit of "Buy Local," he worked with Niio Perkins and Jory Rourke on the billboard and advertisement. "They helped tremendously on that end of things." Jory helped Hovsepian find local model Zaagaate Jock. Perkins adorned her with beaded accessories and Jory did her hair and make up.

Hovsepian invites programs to contact him with ideas and would love to collaborate on projects.

As a dentist, Dr. Hovsepian's focus is on Preventative Dentistry. Preventative dentistry includes regular checkups and cleanings, sealants, preventing decay and educating people on how to brush and floss and what foods to avoid. "We want to eliminate things like dentures, fillings and root canals. Oral health is very important to the entire body. More and more research is revealing that an unhealthy mouth leads to an unhealthy body."

His main goal is to make going to the dentist and good oral care a habit.

"If you can convince one or two generations of the importance of oral health and those generations carry it to future generations, you can completely shift the mindset of a community. Visiting the dentist becomes part of their lifestyle, like getting a haircut."

Hovsepian is very open and available to anyone who has questions, "If anyone wants to see me, call the office and I can see them shortly."

Dr. Hovsepian's hours are 8am to 6:15pm, Monday through Thursday, and they take lunch from 1pm to 2pm so others can make appointments on their lunch breaks. The clinic stays open late so you don't have to miss work or the kids don't have to miss school.

They do take emergencies, whether you're a regular patient or not, "If you're having pain or discomfort we are only a phone call away," added Hovsepian. "We treat everyone like family."

Grand Chief Mitchell agreed, "I like his demeanor, he is very friendly with everyone. There is an assumption that a dentist is mean, but he cracked that wide open with his personality."

Hovsepian knows that one bad experience in a dental office can make people reluctant to visit a dentist again.

"We are really good at patient comfort. We want to make sure it is as pain free as possible. If something needs to be taken care of right away, we do it right away. Everyone is treated as family, that's what patients appreciate the most – first name basis, a smile when you come in and leave. It makes me so happy to know a patient hasn't seen a dentist in 10 or 20 years and now comes in every four to six months. Their health has improved tremendously; they enjoy coming here and refer their family and friends. It's the greatest form of accomplishment as a dentist."

Hovsepian added, "I want to thank the Chiefs of Akwesasne, the Health Board of Akwesasne, members of ANIHB and the community members that we serve. Without your support, we wouldn't be here."