Scholarly, Personal and Professional Development

Create Possibilities: Sustaining and Innovating Dental Pathway Programs

Sunday, March 12, 2023

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM PST

Location: OCC - B117-118, Level 1

CE: 1

Micro-Credential: Promoting an Inclusive and Humanistic Learning Environment

Designation: SoTL

Presenter(s)

Tawana Ware, D.D.S., M.S.D.

Indiana University/Dr. J Pediatric Dentistry

PDF
Jeanette Sabir-Holloway, D.D.S.

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Cherae Farmer-Dixon, D.D.S., M.S.P.H.

Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry
Todd Ester, D.D.S., M.A

University of Michigan School of Dentistry

The ADA released 2021 demographic data showing low representation of underrepresented minority groups as dental graduates. This trend has been consistent for the past several decades. Programs that serve as dental pathways have enhanced diverse representation within the profession. They expose minority students to dental careers, lend guidance for entrance into dental school, and provide a support network during matriculation. Increasing pathway programs are an essential tool for providing strategies to increase the number of underrepresented dental professionals. This educational session will allow participants to hear diverse approaches to increasing underrepresented minority dentists through dental pathways of collaboration and partnerships.

Learning Objectives:

Describe national trends, influences and challenges that have impacted underrepresented minority enrollment sustaining dental pathway programs.
List strategies used in long-standing dental pathway programs.
Identify potential partners to implement pathway programs.