The University at Buffalo (N.Y.) School of Dental Medicine welcomed 24 students to its inaugural Destination Dental School pipeline program.
The free eight-week program aims to increase diversity within the dental industry by removing barriers to dental careers for underrepresented students and is open to undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students. The first cohort includes students from 14 states.
Participants will learn the daily operations of a dentist and dental student, get help with their dental school applications and develop research skills with the help of local dentistry leaders and university faculty, staff, students and alumni.
The program also includes completion of a capstone research project that can cover a range of topics, including dental care disparities, the effect of veneers on young patients with healthy teeth and the effectiveness of Invisalign compared to traditional orthodontic treatments.