School choices based on specialty/focus

[deleted767916]

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Hey guys!

I've been here since freshman year and now that I'm finally a junior I have to start worrying about admissions > ~ <

While I believe that research is important, I'm more interested in helping poorer communities or disadvantaged individuals. From my understanding, most schools that I know are interested primarily in research, well at least University of Michigan heavily cares about research.

Are there any schools that focus more on this social aspect? I'm strongly passionate about helping those who cannot get the help they always need and volunteering over 1000 hours at shelters and various other places showed me how while many of these individuals get some sort of pharmaceutical care or medical, they almost never get any dental care which I hope I can fill in that void.

 

[Advance]

Hey guys!

I've been here since freshman year and now that I'm finally a junior I have to start worrying about admissions > ~ <

While I believe that research is important, I'm more interested in helping poorer communities or disadvantaged individuals. From my understanding, most schools that I know are interested primarily in research, well at least University of Michigan heavily cares about research.

Are there any schools that focus more on this social aspect? I'm strongly passionate about helping those who cannot get the help they always need and volunteering over 1000 hours at shelters and various other places showed me how while many of these individuals get some sort of pharmaceutical care or medical, they almost never get any dental care which I hope I can fill in that void.

Meharry dental school is big on serving underserved communities. That's one of the main things they look at when selecting their students during the application process.

http://www.mmc.edu/about/mission-vision.html

 

[cooliyak]

This isn't a school recommendation, but you should apply for the NHSC scholarship. That's exactly the kind of person they are looking for.

 

[deleted696582]

While I believe that research is important, I'm more interested in helping poorer communities or disadvantaged individuals. From my understanding, most schools that I know are interested primarily in research, well at least University of Michigan heavily cares about research.

Michigan does have some great research opportunities and funding. However, there are many ways you can get involved with underserved populations there as well. There's Give Kids a Smile, an opportunity to participate in an outreach trip to Jamaica, and a community outreach program in your clinic years where you can do rotations in federally qualified health centers.

I'd imagine most dental schools have similar programs, with some focusing more on outreach. Just speaking from Michigan's perspective. Not too sure about others. You could always call schools you're interested in and ask as well.

 

[princessdentist]

Boston University, USC, UDM, and ASDOH

 

[wengerout]

ASDOH for sure


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[rdub]

^what he said. I've heard ASDOH (aka AT Still) heavily focuses on serving the underserved. They have one of the lowest GPA averages of any US school because they prioritize community service over grades. The school in Arizona will allow you to work on Indian Reservations.

Disclaimer: I did not apply there so none of this is straight from the horse's mouth but it's worth looking into if thats what you're interested in.

 

[sgv]

Michigan is both a strong clinical and research school.

Don't worry about "underserved focus". All schools have at least some component of service because it's required by CODA. What really limits people from serving the underserved (Medicaid, Medicare, and rural areas) is the amount of monthly loan repayment. It can be very difficult to accept repayment rates from Medicare or Medicaid that haven't even been adjusted since the 90's and you have bills to pay. Go to the most affordable school except programs known to have significant issues graduating their students.

 

[ThirdMolarz]

Every school helps the underserved to some capacity, but I agree that ASDOH goes beyond in their recruitment (and training? I can't speak on this) of community-oriented dentists. A message from their dean:

 

[cooliyak]

True that ASDOH focuses on that, however, I've talked to a few graduates from there who believe the general consensus among students is that their loans are too high to be able to continue with the underserved focus after graduation. I don't know the reality of that, just the quick anecdote that I thought was interesting so I wanted to share.
What sgv said is very true either way.