UB Launches a Program to Increase Diversity in Dentistry

According to Buffalo.edu, the School of Dental Medicine will provide mentorship, hand skills development, test prep, and more. This is all in an effort to increase the enrollment of underrepresented students and, remove barriers to careers in dentistry for students of color.

Credit: Buffalo.edu,

The program was conceived by UB dental student and Buffalo native Adrain Johnson, who encountered some challenges applying for dental school herself. This program is now open to any student that would like to pursue a career in dentistry. Undergraduate students will also receive dental application assistance and, networking opportunities with local dentistry leaders.

I realized there was a lack of resources for students like myself, as an undergraduate student. I had some advisement but I needed more guidance. I didn't know the right classes to take, my timeline was off, I didn't take the right test prep, and my professor wouldn't give me a recommendation.

said, Adrian Johnson according to Buffalo.edu.

Credit: Buffalo.edu

Latino, African Americans, and Native Americans make up around 5% 4%, and 1% of dentists, despite representing a larger percentage of the population in the United States, according to the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute.

This free program will run on Saturdays, June 4th through July 31st, students are encouraged to apply by February 28th. Click here for an online application. Adrian's hard work with encouraging minority students to pursue a career in dentistry is another great example of Buffalonians doing bigs for our community.