Blessing Ibikunle-Salami, DDS, MPH

Dr. Blessing Ibikunle-Salami completed a one-year General Practice Residency at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, where the program emphasized treating medically complex patients within a multidisciplinary team.

Her residency experience, primarily serving a Medicaid population, has highlighted the significant need for oral health. She recognizes a substantial gap between medicine and dentistry, emphasizing the critical importance of medical-dental integration for patients' oral and overall health.

In dental school, Dr. Blessing served in various advocacy positions at the chapter, district, and national level of the American Student Dental Association. She enjoys organized dentistry and looks forward to getting involved in her local and state dental societies.

Dental anxiety and fear are significant barriers to patients receiving proper oral care. Dr. Blessing is committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for her patients. She aims to build trust and rapport by demonstrating empathy, compassion, and patience while also conveying her genuine concern for their oral health needs and concerns. 

Dr. Blessing enjoys educating patients about the importance of maintaining a healthy oral environment. As a visual learner herself, she has discovered that teaching oral health concepts effectively requires the use of visual aids and simple, understandable language. The more informed a patient is about their oral health, the more likely they are to prioritize its care. She believes that oral health literacy can be enhanced through a combination of education, engagement, and empowerment.

Outside work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending her local church, watching Netflix, and shopping. With more free time, she looks forward to exploring new hobbies and interests.

Education:

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

Indiana University School of Dentistry

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Fairbanks School of Public Health – Indiana University

• Concentration: Health Policy and Management

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Indiana University Northwest

• Minors: Chemistry & Health Systems Administration

Professional Associations:

• American Dental Association
• Indiana Dental Association
• Northwest Indiana Dental Society, Board Member
• American Academy of General Dentistry
• Apollonia Dental Society