New dental learning program to focus on minority students

The American Dental Education Association (ADEA), in partnership with the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, has launched the Dental Pipeline National Learning Institute (Dental Pipeline NLI) and selected the first 11 dental schools selected to participate in the program.

Supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the ADEA/Pacific Dugoni Dental Pipeline NLI is a new training program dedicated to increasing recruitment and retention among low-income and underrepresented minority students at dental schools. Ultimately, the effort aims to create a diverse workforce of dentists who understand the oral healthcare needs of patients from underserved populations, according to the organizations.

Dental schools selected to participate in the program will implement a yearlong minority student recruitment and retention campaign, or engage community-based dental education partners. Each institution will receive $12,000, and a three-day training course about Dental Pipeline best practices, advocacy, and leadership. Additional support and resources include peer mentor match-ups, access to various online courses, and fundraising and development tutorials.

Here are the first 11 schools selected to participate in the program:

• East Carolina University School of Dentistry
• Georgia Health Sciences University College of Dental Medicine
• Harvard School of Dental Medicine
• Indiana University School of Dentistry
• Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine
• Marquette University School of Dentistry
• Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine
• Oklahoma University College of Dentistry
• University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
• University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Dental Medicine