(PO-038) Penntorship: The Value of Mentoring During a Pandemic
Sunday, March 20, 2022
1:00pm – 3:00pm EST
Location: Hall C
Author: Julie Berenblum, D.M.D. – University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine Author: Kylie Schlesinger, D.M.D. – University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine Submitter: Julie Berenblum – University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
COVID-19 resulted in learning challenges for dental students and high school students alike due to isolating environments with fewer interpersonal interactions with classmates and faculty. In response to these challenges, two pre-doctoral dental students developed the Penntorship program at University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine where dental students mentor students at West Philadelphia High School using online technology.
The objectives of Penntorship are to a) foster meaningful relationships to enhance personal growth, academic success, and engagement in post-secondary exploration and planning for high school students and b) to serve as an outlet for Penn Dental students to meaningfully engage with other dental and high school students and provide community support activities during a pandemic.
Methods: 70 dental students volunteered to mentor West Philadelphia High School students throughout the 2020-2021 school year. After receiving mentorship training conducted by Mentor Independence Region, mentors coordinated weekly meetings with their mentees on Zoom to complete homework assignments, discuss current interests, and to assess the mentee’s goals. A total of 185 mentor meetings were held by 56 dental students with 28 different high school students participating in the program during a 6 month time period. Surveys were distributed and analyzed to determine the effects of the program on both mentors and mentees.*
Results of the surveys revealed that both dental students and high school students gained new friendships, improved their communication skills, and formed a new perspective during the pandemic.
Conclusion: With online learning formats and social distancing during the pandemic, dental students expressed a need for more social interaction and support. Penntorship served to support dental students during this challenging year and filled a social need for young individuals. Both the mentors and mentees benefitted from the program and will continue to work together in the coming academic year. *IRB approval obtained 8/30/2021.
