Early Decision Rural Dentistry Track Program (EDRDTP)

Naty Lopez, Ph.D.Assistant Dean for Admissions and DiversityUniversity of Minnesota School of Dentistry

The Goal

To recruit and retain practitioners to rural settings by implementing an Early Decision Rural Dentistry Track Program

UM SOD

HRSA - MDH

AHEC

EDRDTP: IMPLEMENTATION

RECRUITMENT

FUNDING/SCHOLARSHIP

ADMINISTRATIONCOORDINATION

LOCAL DENTISTSIHS

MENTORSHIP

STUDENTS

COMMUNITYORGANIZATIONS

SUPPORT

Early Decision Rural Dentistry Track Program (EDRDTP)

One program in the School of Dentistry’s initiatives to build the dental workforce in underserved communities

“Building Bridges to a Career in Dentistry” for disadvantaged students includes students from rural areas

Annual meetings with the Rural Dentistry Task Force of the MDA for dental students

School of Dentistry Community Outreach Programs to expose dental students to rural practice and service to underserved communities

EAR

LY R

ECR

UIT

MEN

T

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

SUPPO

RT

STUDENTS

Features

Scholarship, MentorshipAc

adem

ics,

DAT

Summer Project

EDRDTP: Challenges

Community partnership and provision of matching grant

Dentists prefer to support students already enrolled in dental school

Continued funding when the grant runs out

Identify Best Practices

A Community Project: Teaching Oral Health in Day Care Centers in Walker MN