

Pipeline programs, however, have proven to be an effective solution, increasing enrollment of underrepresented students in dental schools by 54%, according to a report by the Journal of the American Dental Association. population, according to the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute. Latino, African American and Native American people make up around 5%, 4% and 1% of dentists, respectively, despite representing a larger percentage of the U.S. The free, eight-week program, which is open to underrepresented undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students nationwide, drew participants from 14 states, stretching from New York to Florida to California.ĭestination Dental School will provide participants with an understanding of the day-to-day life of a dentist and dental student, help strengthen their dental school applications, and develop their skills as researchers.īy increasing the enrollment of underrepresented students in dental schools, the program will help address the shortage of dentists of color. The School of Dental Medicine has welcomed the first cohort of 24 students to the Destination Dental School program, a new initiative that aims to remove barriers to careers in dentistry for underrepresented students.
