Bridge to Dentistry: Awareness to Graduation

Finding convenient dental care is challenging for many Texas residents.  In fact, more than 40 percent of Texas’ 254 counties are considered medically underserved. 

The Bridge to Dentistry programs at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry attempt to reverse that trend by introducing students of all ages from underserved areas to careers in dentistry. 

Research has shown that doctors who are the product of underserved communities are more likely than others to provide services to those communities. Thousands of students have participated in the program since it was started in the early 1990s by Dr. Claude R. Williams, Sr., director of community outreach services at HSC-BCD.

Bridge to Dentistry programs include:

• Project Dental Awareness – BCD staff members travel to area elementary schools to increase awareness of oral hygiene and dentistry careers. BCD also hosts field trips to the dental school for junior high and high school students.
• The Summer Teen Enrichment Program – A one-week summer program for current 9th graders at the dental school aimed at increasing awareness of oral hygiene and dentistry careers.  The program includes PSAT coaching.
• The Summer Teen Academic Readiness Program – A one-week program for current 10th graders aimed at increasing awareness of oral hygiene and dentistry careers.  The program also includes PSAT coaching.
• The Summer Academic Enrichment Program – A six-week program for current 11th graders that includes dental clinic rotations, visits to private practices, SAT preparation and seminars on learning strategies.
• Student Predental Enrichment Program – An eight-week long program for college students that includes 60 hours of course work, dental clinic rotations, DAT preparation and seminars on learning strategies.
• The Post Baccalaureate Program – A year-long program for college graduates who need extra preparation before entering dental school.  The program includes a year’s coursework at the University of Texas at Dallas or the University of North Texas and DAT coaching.
• College Pre-Matriculation Program – A six-week program for high school seniors who have an interest in dentistry. The program’s aim is to strengthen the student’s science foundation and increase their chances of success upon entering a pre-dental program. The CPP is held in conjunction with El Centro College. Click here for more information and an application.

Student Development Website: http://www.bcd.tamhsc.edu/stddev