Presentation Category
Other
Introduction/Context/Diagnosis
Objective: Career pathway-based instruction in high-school is becoming increasingly common, yet access to pre-dental education for high school students remains limited primarily to shadowing and familial experience. This program introduced a diverse group of high-schoolers to the scope of opportunities in dentistry through personalized instruction and clinical activities developed by an interdisciplinary team of faculty, staff, and dental students. The goals of this program were to provide high school students from various backgrounds opportunities to explore a career in dentistry that they may not have otherwise had, and to advance diversity and inclusion amongst future dental school applicants. Methods: IRB review set status as exempt. High-school students from across the country enrolled in a two-week pre-dental program of foundational presentations and activities. Participants (n=40) engaged in team-building exercises, hands-on clinical simulations, health presentations, and interactive workshops to expose them to endless opportunities in dentistry. Multiple surveys were administered to participants, which were analyzed for demographics and student experience. Conclusion: As a result of this program, high-school students from various backgrounds were introduced to the field of dentistry and inspired to pursue a dental career. Dental students developed a framework for continuing the program for future years, creating more opportunities for interprofessional education and collaboration with faculty. Ultimately, this inaugural program expanded access to pre-dental education by encouraging the next generation of pre-dental students to explore dentistry through critical thinking, problem solving, and evidence based dentistry while increasing diversity in the dental education pathway. Additionally, at least 60% of potentially rising seniors in the SHSI applied to UOP’s pre-dental program after this experience.* *Some students indicated their grade at the time of the application and others their rising grade. References: American Dental Education Association. (November 2018). ADEA Survey of Dental School Seniors, 2018 Graduating Class Tables Report. Washington, D.C.
Location
Arthur A Dugoni School of Dentistry, 155 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
Format
Presentation
New Beginnings: Launching a Program to Empower and Diversify the Next Generation of Pre-Dental Students
Arthur A Dugoni School of Dentistry, 155 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
Objective: Career pathway-based instruction in high-school is becoming increasingly common, yet access to pre-dental education for high school students remains limited primarily to shadowing and familial experience. This program introduced a diverse group of high-schoolers to the scope of opportunities in dentistry through personalized instruction and clinical activities developed by an interdisciplinary team of faculty, staff, and dental students. The goals of this program were to provide high school students from various backgrounds opportunities to explore a career in dentistry that they may not have otherwise had, and to advance diversity and inclusion amongst future dental school applicants. Methods: IRB review set status as exempt. High-school students from across the country enrolled in a two-week pre-dental program of foundational presentations and activities. Participants (n=40) engaged in team-building exercises, hands-on clinical simulations, health presentations, and interactive workshops to expose them to endless opportunities in dentistry. Multiple surveys were administered to participants, which were analyzed for demographics and student experience. Conclusion: As a result of this program, high-school students from various backgrounds were introduced to the field of dentistry and inspired to pursue a dental career. Dental students developed a framework for continuing the program for future years, creating more opportunities for interprofessional education and collaboration with faculty. Ultimately, this inaugural program expanded access to pre-dental education by encouraging the next generation of pre-dental students to explore dentistry through critical thinking, problem solving, and evidence based dentistry while increasing diversity in the dental education pathway. Additionally, at least 60% of potentially rising seniors in the SHSI applied to UOP’s pre-dental program after this experience.* *Some students indicated their grade at the time of the application and others their rising grade. References: American Dental Education Association. (November 2018). ADEA Survey of Dental School Seniors, 2018 Graduating Class Tables Report. Washington, D.C.
Comments/Acknowledgements
Presentation Category: PIP: Teaching Material Creation