Early Decision Rural Dentistry Track Program (EDRDTP) Naty Lopez, Ph.D. Assistant Dean for Admissions and Diversity University 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 ADMINISTRATION COORDINATION LOCAL DENTISTS IHS MENTORSHIP STUDENTS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS 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

EARLY RECRUITMENT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SUPPORT STUDENTS Features Scholarship, Mentorship Academics, 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