60 Minute Workshop

Educational Programs, Workshops, Seminars, New Idea Session, and Small Group Discussions

AD-002 - Using Informal Networks: Mentoring Middle School Children for Dental Careers

Presenter(s)

• 

  Melanie Mayberry, D.D.S., M.S.

  University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
• 

  Lakia Wilson, M.A., LLPC

  Spain Elementary-Middle School

Target Audience: Administrator

Learning Focus: Admissions, Financial Aid and Student Services

Dental Education: General Dentistry  

Underrepresented minority (URM) dental professionals and applicants to dental school do not reflect the racial/ethnic makeup of the United States, which is concerning, considering the U.S. URM population is expected to increase to 50% by 2050. Many suggest that early exposure is key to increasing interests among potential URM dental school applicants. This session will teach participants strategies for using informal networks to create opportunities for middle school youth to get early exposure to dental careers. This will be led by a practicing dentist and dental leader from a private dental school and an educational leader from an urban, public middle school.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the mentoring opportunities that exist in your informal networks to facilitate and create social change for dental education.
• Understand potential barriers that may exist in implementing novel ideas and alternative approaches that can be taken.
• List specific ideas that could be implemented in a dental school community that could contribute to early exposure of middle school children to oral health profession careers.