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denticus

denticus

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Unfortunately, I have heard from many people that dental schools are favoring minorities to the point that they will be accepted into schools despite having uncompetative statistics. Is this true!? Why is race even an issue🙁? Shouldn't people get accepted into dental schools based off of how qualified they are not how much of a minority they are? If this is not the case then why should I NOT feel hesitant to go to a minority dentist if in fact that dentist only became a dentist because he/she was a minority and not because he/she is qualified. I have even heard a rumor that the reason why the ADA asks so many questions about demographics on the DAT application is so that they will be able to determine the degree of difficulty you will experience on the exam based off of ethnicity and background. Why do I think this is 1) not fare? / and / 2) biased because seats in dental schools are being filled based off of "who" you are (race) and not "what" you are (qualifications). In order to suppress racism shouldn't we just eliminate race as a determining factor for dental school admissions? Why should I (as a caucasian male) be punished for being born the way I was? What say you?
 
It's just the way things are now. America is obsessed with economic and social parity these days. Nobody wants to work for anything. This crap will never fix anything. Success comes from nothing more than HARD WORK, I have many successful friends from high school that never went to college. They work their arse off. Anyone can make it here if they really want it. Most people are lazy and unsuccessful, and race is just something easy to blame it on. This country preaches diversity and capitalism, yet they try to make us all the same, it's ridiculous. I don't give a crap about preferential admissions. I don't need it.
 
This thread sucks. Denticus, you're an idiot.
 
in Canada, as i heard, the fraction of different races in the dental school is roughly based on the fraction of races in the population.

for example, if 10 percent of the population in the province are asian, then about 10 percent of the dental students are asian, 5% of the population in the province are first nations, then about 5 percent of the students are first nations

it makes sense because typically, people perfer seeing medical professionals from their same race.
 
Some will argue that intelligence doesn't matter in dentistry; that hard work and well trained hand-eye coordination along with proficient social skills will suffice.

I on the other hand will not go to a dentist who is considered a minority in the health field. Majorities in the health field include Caucasians and Asians. In this manner, I can at least be a little certain that the person who works on my teeth didn't have to struggle academically to get a 16AA on his/her DAT. I once shadowed an underling dentist who blamed everything on the patient's genetics. He was fired from his dental group practice, then I saw him again elsewhere dong the same ol' routine during another one of my shadowing runs.

Although it may be irrelevant in the pre-dental forum, this goes for physicians as well. Those who complain that they are "just bad test takers" on the MCAT (a standardized exam administered in an organized, quiet environment) should not even consider being a physician/surgeon in a hectic environment (such as a...you guessed it: a hospital).
 
If this was the case in America I don't think this would be an issue. But then again it would greatly decrease the number of Asians in dental school (5% of total US pop: approx; 23%

"The 2003–04 total predoctoral URM dental student enrollment data show that the black/African-American and Hispanic student enrollment numbers are the highest they have been in almost ten years. However, the Native American dental student enrollment dropped from 112 students (0.65 percent) in 2000–01 to eighty students (.45 percent) in 2002–03. In 2003–04, the percentage of total predoctoral dental school enrollment for black/African Americans was 5.41 percent, 5.88 percent for Hispanic/Latino, and 0.428 percent for Native American/Alaska Natives (total URM was 11.72 percent). The current corresponding percentages of the U.S. populations for underrepresented minorities are estimated to be 12.3 percent black/African American, 12.5 percent Hispanic/Latino, and less than 1 percent Native American/Alaska Native. In spite of the recent increases, the percentage of URM dental student enrollments from each group remains significantly lower than the percentage of each group in the U.S. population.
In the 2003–04 academic year, over 70 percent of the predoctoral URM enrollment was concentrated at thirty-eight dental schools. The schools with major URM enrollments are listed in Tables 2, 3, and 4. Forty percent of African Americans were enrolled at Howard and Meharry in 2003–04, 25 percent of Hispanics were enrolled at New York University, UTHSC-San Antonio, Nova Southeastern, Tufts, and the University of Florida. Forty percent of Native Americans were enrolled at the University of Oklahoma. "

http://www.jdentaled.org/cgi/content/full/68/10/1112
 
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oh man....i remember the last time a thread like this surfaced....it was very ugly.....which is def. understandable........please..continue😎
 
Is it that time of year already?
 
denticus said:
Unfortunately, I have heard from many people that dental schools are favoring minorities to the point that they will be accepted into schools despite having uncompetative statistics. Is this true!? Why is race even an issue🙁? Shouldn't people get accepted into dental schools based off of how qualified they are not how much of a minority they are? If this is not the case then why should I NOT feel hesitant to go to a minority dentist if in fact that dentist only became a dentist because he/she was a minority and not because he/she is qualified. I have even heard a rumor that the reason why the ADA asks so many questions about demographics on the DAT application is so that they will be able to determine the degree of difficulty you will experience on the exam based off of ethnicity and background. Why do I think this is 1) not fare? / and / 2) biased because seats in dental schools are being filled based off of "who" you are (race) and not "what" you are (qualifications). In order to suppress racism shouldn't we just eliminate race as a determining factor for dental school admissions? Why should I (as a caucasian male) be punished for being born the way I was? What say you?
Click to expand...

Skin color has very little effect on dental school admission. I think you should have done some research before posting this thread. This "rumor" is way too exagerated.
 
denticus said:
Unfortunately, I have heard from many people that dental schools are favoring minorities to the point that they will be accepted into schools despite having uncompetative statistics. Is this true!? Why is race even an issue🙁? Shouldn't people get accepted into dental schools based off of how qualified they are not how much of a minority they are? If this is not the case then why should I NOT feel hesitant to go to a minority dentist if in fact that dentist only became a dentist because he/she was a minority and not because he/she is qualified. I have even heard a rumor that the reason why the ADA asks so many questions about demographics on the DAT application is so that they will be able to determine the degree of difficulty you will experience on the exam based off of ethnicity and background. Why do I think this is 1) not fare? / and / 2) biased because seats in dental schools are being filled based off of "who" you are (race) and not "what" you are (qualifications). In order to suppress racism shouldn't we just eliminate race as a determining factor for dental school admissions? Why should I (as a caucasian male) be punished for being born the way I was? What say you?
Click to expand...

You could try looking at some verifiable numbers and make your own conclusions.

See the appropriate post.
 
I'm just going to sit back and watch the show.

I'm getting some pop-corn. This will be better than HBO boxing.:corny:

:beat:
 
You're right, it is just a rumor. Nevertheless, I have heard it over and over again to the point that it really started to make me question so I figured this site would be a good place to get suggestions on the matter. I posted this thread to look for answers, not insults or criticism. It is not meant to stir controversy. I just want answers and nothing more.
 
I think it is probably not much of a factor unless you are a native american. They are the only ones that should be given any preference in my opinion, and only if they plan to serve their village or reservation.

From what I gather, it's alot less factor than say law school. Bieng a URM in law school applications is the difference between ivy league and state school. It doesnt seem to be like that here.
 
Good insight, I agree.
 
Ju-ju beans anyone? I've got Whoppers too...
 
Get the official booklet from ADA that goes over all the stats, admissions, # of minorities, see that underrepresented minorities are still under represented, then come to your own conclusions.
 
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thanks
 
it sucks what can u do, work harder you'll get it

btw im asian and i have to battle the other 120000131231232 other asian pre dents...

- Danny
 
You know Denticus, I think you're are completely right. Dental schools should really only accept kids who graduated Ivy League schools because, really, they are the most quealified. They had the smarts to get to an Ivy League in the first place, had parents with enough money to pay for it, and now they should be the ones who will become dentists and make a good living, and have enough money to send their kids to Ivy league schools and then grad schools so that they can make a good living and then send their kids to Ivy league schools......
 
Denticus maybe you should spend your time learning how to spell "competitive" instead of worrying that much about minority acceptance rates.

The comment by 997GT3 is equally disturbing. Coincidentally, the only two students that couldn't graduate from my class because of academic issues were Asian....and...an upper classmate of "Caucasian" background couldn't make it either. According to your theory, we should all miss dentistry altogether.

Both of you get the Olympic gold medal for stupidity. Idiots
 
denticus said:
Why do I think this is 1) not fare? / and / 2) biased because seats in dental schools are being filled based off of "who" you are (race) and not "what" you are (qualifications).
Click to expand...

I’m sorry, but I found this hilarious...interesting spelling for someone who is bold enough (rather ignorant enough) to claim that all "minority" applicants are of lower intelligence or are provided admission despite less than spectacular scores


+pity+

if you're actually beating yourself up about this, then you must not have as strong of an application as you'd like, in which case I ask you this:

instead of wasting your time whining about how an exaggerated rumor is unfair, why don't you try, you know....improving your application?!



having said that....I’m going to grab some popcorn as well and watch the rest of this unfold 😎
 
997GT3 said:
I on the other hand will not go to a dentist who is considered a minority in the health field. Majorities in the health field include Caucasians and Asians. In this manner, I can at least be a little certain that the person who works on my teeth didn't have to struggle academically to get a 16AA on his/her DAT. I once shadowed an underling dentist who blamed everything on the patient's genetics. He was fired from his dental group practice, then I saw him again elsewhere dong the same ol' routine during another one of my shadowing runs.
Click to expand...

Wow that is a ridiculous argument. How can you tell from someones race how much they did/did not struggle to get a grade on an examination? Furthermore, how can you tell from the grade on that standardized test if he/she will be able to design a better class II prep on your tooth than someone else? Sure academics are important but equally important in DENTRISTRY are those hand skills you so easily blow off. You shadowed ONE minority dentist and you now think they are all the same? i had much more faith in people until I saw your post. I guess i was naive.

Im surprised no one else has responded to this.
 
Hey claugh, I agree with your sarcasm 100%. I do think that many people, just by virtue of being "well off", are accepted into Ivy league schools for that matter alone. Again, I think it is unfair that anyone be accepted into professional schools unless they are QUALIFIED. My argument was not FOR Ivy leaguers which, by the way, can be of any race. Instead, I was simply concerned that ALL races were being treated equal with regard to their consideration for acceptance. Nevertheless, you raise an excellent point. The same problem that exists with dental schools admitting persons on the basis of race exists with dental schools admitting persons on the basis of political or economical status. If dental schools grant preference to such individuals, the dental profession itself suffers as more and more unqualified persons are being trained to carry the responsibility of peoples lives (scary to think about) at times because of who they are (race/wealth/prestige) not what they are (qualifications). Thanks for your insight.
 
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li1p0ptart said:
Wow that is a ridiculous argument. How can you tell from someones race how much they did/did not struggle to get a grade on an examination? Furthermore, how can you tell from the grade on that standardized test if he/she will be able to design a better class II prep on your tooth than someone else? You shadowed ONE minority dentist and you now think they are all the same? i had much more faith in people until I saw your post. I guess i was naive.
Click to expand...

I do not have anything against minorities; just the standards by which they are admitted. I'd rather not take my chances with my teeth. I know plenty of intelligent minorities and if we were all admitted by the same standards, I could be less cautious in picking my dentist. There are exceptions of course, but the dentist or physician would have to be considered a pretty prominent figure.
 
Hi, I am just writing to let you know that my intentions were not imply that people from other races are somehow inately less qualified then my own. My concern was intended to find out whether the rumors were true or not. I only hope that ALL races are treated equally and that it is not even an issue when it comes to dental admissions. I also don't agree that pre-dental applicants be accepted on the basis of other distinguishments such as political or economic. I am sure that just there are many other people from the minority pool that are much smarter and more qualified than I, so let them be accepted into dental school. But I say, let them be accepted because they are smarter and more qualified then me, not because they are a born into a minority. Had I somehow suggested that minorities were in some way subservient to the majorities, then I would be wrong. I did not intend for the thread to be perceived in this manner. Sorry for the misconception
 
denticus said:
Hi, I am just writing to let you know that my intentions were not imply that people from other races are somehow inately less qualified then my own. My concern was intended to find out whether the rumors were true or not. I only hope that ALL races are treated equally and that it is not even an issue when it comes to dental admissions. I also don't agree that pre-dental applicants be accepted on the basis of other distinguishments such as political or economic. I am sure that just there are many other people from the minority pool that are much smarter and more qualified than I, so let them be accepted into dental school. But I say, let them be accepted because they are smarter and more qualified then me, not because they are a born into a minority. Had I somehow suggested that minorities were in some way subservient to the majorities, then I would be wrong. I did not intend for the thread to be perceived in this manner. Sorry for the misconception
Click to expand...

I agree.
 
im calling a 5 page minimum before this one gets terminated....and thats just b/c it will grow exponentially......so far no one has posted anything too ******ed...but just wait...it will surface....."that guy" will show.
 
SuperC said:
I am gonna take this seat right next to you, if you don't mind?
-C
Click to expand...
donsaxena said:
i as well will take a seat
Click to expand...
DMDreaming said:
Scoot over. I'll bring the popcorn.
Click to expand...
bruinpredent said:
denticus getting pwned:laugh:
having said that....I'm going to grab some popcorn as well and watch the rest of this unfold 😎
Click to expand...

Plenty of seats and snacks for all..

Edit: btw, i think denticus should get a cookie for best thread title evah!
 
I marketed for paranoid pre-dental apps. and won!:clap: Thanks for the cookie!
 
I don't think it really matters what race you are as long as you work hard at what you do and are good to others around you. The way I see it is if you work hard at something such as getting into dental school, try to become the best at whatever you are doing, then in the end you will get into dental school somewhere, and because you learned the valuable lesson of hard work and dedication, you will be the more successful dentist in the end. This applies to all aspects of anyones life. So, don't worry about the whole minority situation, just be happy that others who are underrepresented are getting a chance to improve their life and circumstances, hope that they aren't taking advantage of the situation, and be glad that you have the opportunity to benefit from this newly acquired personal quality of hard work and dedication. It will reap huge benefits in the end. Also, if you look at statistics for most dental schools, the white male population is still pretty high, and by far still the majority!
 
There are way too many people on the couch here and there is clearly not enough popcorn to go around. Some people have to get their butts off the couch and enter the arena...we need entertainment!
 
Ething said:
There are way too many people on the couch here and there is clearly not enough popcorn to go around. Some people have to get their butts off the couch and enter the arena...we need entertainment!
Click to expand...


Hey, if you look at the fact that most of us who are sittin' on the couch, we are either dental students or dentists. We are the ones who were smart enough to get into dental school without worrying about this minority crap that this thread is about. We are smart enough not to get caught up in it and just watch the rest entertain us! 😀

Keep it coming boys and girls!:horns:
 
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997GT3 said:
I do not have anything against minorities; just the standards by which they are admitted. I'd rather not take my chances with my teeth. I know plenty of intelligent minorities and if we were all admitted by the same standards, I could be less cautious in picking my dentist. There are exceptions of course, but the dentist or physician would have to be considered a pretty prominent figure.
Click to expand...

well on that argument, are you also going to stop seeing dentists/physicians who came from rich backgrounds with parents who could have *possibly* made a sizeable contribution to the school to which they were admitted?
 
li1p0ptart said:
well on that argument, are you also going to stop seeing dentists/physicians who came from rich backgrounds with parents who could have *possibly* made a sizeable contribution to the school to which they were admitted?
Click to expand...

They are rare and hard to distinguish. But yes I would also try to avoid them. An acquaintance of mine has parental connections to Emory's medical school and he has never worked hard his whole life. All he knows how to do is whine and bitch. I hope I will never have to rely on him.
 
this thread has diarrhia............
 
Trollinvasion.jpg
 
I wondered why there were so many replies in such a short period of time... then i read the first sentence :laugh:
 
denticus said:
Hi, I am just writing to let you know that my intentions were not imply that people from other races are somehow inately less qualified then my own. My concern was intended to find out whether the rumors were true or not. I only hope that ALL races are treated equally and that it is not even an issue when it comes to dental admissions. I also don't agree that pre-dental applicants be accepted on the basis of other distinguishments such as political or economic. I am sure that just there are many other people from the minority pool that are much smarter and more qualified than I, so let them be accepted into dental school. But I say, let them be accepted because they are smarter and more qualified then me, not because they are a born into a minority. Had I somehow suggested that minorities were in some way subservient to the majorities, then I would be wrong. I did not intend for the thread to be perceived in this manner. Sorry for the misconception
Click to expand...


The mere fact that you brought race into this is discouraging. I'm not a dental student but am a practicing professional and the only thing you need to worry about is yourself. It seems that in todays society, schools and employers are looking for qualified indiviuals of every race. They want to be diverse. Just because you have a 3.8 and the hispanic has 3.5 gpa doesn't mean he is less qualified than you. Schools and employers usually look for diversity in your application,ie volunteer work, employment, etc My advice to you would be to not worry about the rumors and look out for number 1, yourself. You are picking a fight that you will not win. Pick your battles wisely and move on.

Dr. M
 
denticus said:
Unfortunately, I have heard from many people that dental schools are favoring minorities to the point that they will be accepted into schools despite having uncompetative statistics. Is this true!? Why is race even an issue🙁? Shouldn't people get accepted into dental schools based off of how qualified they are not how much of a minority they are? If this is not the case then why should I NOT feel hesitant to go to a minority dentist if in fact that dentist only became a dentist because he/she was a minority and not because he/she is qualified. I have even heard a rumor that the reason why the ADA asks so many questions about demographics on the DAT application is so that they will be able to determine the degree of difficulty you will experience on the exam based off of ethnicity and background. Why do I think this is 1) not fare? / and / 2) biased because seats in dental schools are being filled based off of "who" you are (race) and not "what" you are (qualifications). In order to suppress racism shouldn't we just eliminate race as a determining factor for dental school admissions? Why should I (as a caucasian male) be punished for being born the way I was? What say you?
Click to expand...

It's called Affirmative Action, and no... it isn't fair in my opinion. Hasn't been fair since probably the 50s, 60s and early 70s. Fact is it still exists and yes, some underrep. minorities will get in with lower stats. If you are competitive, you will get in too. One of the reasons dental schools take underrep. minorities is because there is a shortage of minority dentists and doctors. Areas with minorities need dentists too, but I can bet you quite a nice sum of money that not many suburban whites are going to move out to black communities to become a dentist. See, it isn't all about stats, it's about supply and demand. Bottom line, worry about yourself. If your stats are good enough, you will get in. Good luck.
 
Disturbing News?? Doesn't the word news, imply new information which isn't widely known. Everybody knows affirmative action still exists, not going to give my opinion on this(have already did in previous similar threads). If you are a majority will affirmative action affect your admission, no. Work hard volunteer and shut up.

(cough) Troll (cough)
 
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