updated Fri May 10, 2013
George Blue Spruce, D.D.S., M.P.H., is a member of the Laguna and Ohkay-Owinge Pueblos. He became the first American Indian dentist in the United States upon graduation from Creighton University School of Dentistry in 1956. Nineteen years later he recruited the second, and he hasn’t stopped recruiting since. Today there are about 190 American Indian dentists—still a tiny fraction of the total number of U.S. dentists—and the nation’ 58 dental schools add only about 30 American Indian students per year. Dr. Blue Spruce is committed to building the dental profession and improving oral health in Indian Country. His message to young people: You can do this, and you are needed.