New OSU Summer Dental Preparatory Program
Prepares Students for Dental Careers

August 18, 2004

Seven junior and senior high school students are learning the many facets of dental assisting this summer while attending a new program – The Ohio State University College of Dentistry Summer Dental Preparatory Institute. This intensive seven-week dental assisting program attracted students from local area high schools, particularly two high schools with a health careers academy.

The seven-week program exposes students to clinical aspects of dentistry. Each week, four days of classroom work are supplemented by one day spent observing and working in general practice dental offices. Students are exposed to various aspects of dentistry including: infection control procedures, equipment identification, instrument transfer, moisture control, radiology, patient charting, and tray set-up, and they have the opportunity to mix amalgam and to assist dental students with restorative procedures.

“We created this program to help students explore their interest in health careers – and particularly dentistry – at an early age so that they may be well-prepared to achieve their future career goals,” said Dr. Michael Rowland, director of diversity for the Ohio State University College of Dentistry. “The program also helps to expose students from underserved and under-represented populations – who do not traditionally consider dentistry as a viable career – to the many career opportunities dentistry offers.” The Summer Dental Preparatory Institute will be an ongoing program held each summer.

All seven of the students attending this year are interested in future careers in dentistry or other health-related fields. A pre-test helped to determine their knowledge, interest and attitudes related to the dental profession. Other selection factors for the program were high school grades and letters of recommendation.

The Summer Dental Preparatory Institute program was created through a collaborative effort of The OHIO Project, an outreach program to underserved communities which is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Ohio State University College of Dentistry Admissions Office.