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Dental Experience – Pre-dental Short Courses
Dental schools are looking for applicants who have had exposure to the dental field. One of the greatest ways to get this kind of experience is to work in clinical dental environments. Beyond this, many dental schools offer short courses that give students the chance to spend any where from a day to several weeks learning more about the dental profession. These structured programs may offer the opportunity to shadow or volunteer with dentists. Some offer DAT preparation and others even provide guidance on the dental school application process. Almost all of them also provide an opportunity for applicants to participate in simulation labs in dentistry. These labs are a great opportunity to practice manual dexterity, learn to work with dental instruments, and get a better sense of what the manual work of a dentist entails. These courses can serve as a great opportunity to learn more about the dental profession and demonstrate commitment to the field. Below is a list of programs that offer short courses for pre-dental students. Note that the information provided her is subject to change. For the most up to date information, we encourage applicants to contact the school directly.
University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham, AL
Link to course: The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: Free. Stipend $600
What’s covered in the course: A combination of clinical exposure, shadowing, and interprofessional experiences. Participation in weekly preceptorship pairings with health professionals in the field as well as case-based presentations and weekly interprofessional simulated patient care experiences with a simulated patient.
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, Glendale, AZ
Link to course: ASDA Simulation Course
Course duration: 1 day
Course fee: $150
What’s covered in the course: Seminars on preparing for dental school, dental techniques
and other topics; alginate impressions; pouring and trimming stone models; cavity preparations with electric hand piece; waxing proper tooth anatomy; placing an amalgam restoration.
UCLA School of Dentistry
Link to course: Pre-Dental Beginner Tooth Waxing and Denture (intro course)
Course duration: 1 Day Course
Course Fee: $145
Materials Kit Fee: $165
What’s covered in the course: Hands-on techniques of hot dropping wax patterns and
shapes; behavior of wax hot flow and solidification; learning step-by-step procedure of reconstructing a mandibular molar; setting upper and lower anterior denture teeth; denture festooning techniques.
UCLA School of Dentistry
Link to course: Pre-Dental Impression and Cast Making
Course duration: 1 Day
Course Fee: $145
Materials Kit Fee: $165
What’s covered in the course: Learn to hand mix dental materials; learn adequate
alginate impressions; learn to trim dental model to proper dimensional height for study purposes; learn to use techniques on dental model trimmer and dental vibrator.
UCLA School of Dentistry
Link to course: Pre-Dental Tooth Waxing
Prerequisite: All participants must take the “Beginner Tooth Waxing and Denture Course” before registering for this advanced course.
Course duration: 2 Day Course
Course Fee: $145
Materials Kit Fee: $295
What’s covered in the course: Basics of tooth anatomy and occlusal surfaces; rapid waxing technique of extensive occlusal rehabilitation of anterior and posterior tooth structure; using dental hand instruments and waxing techniques; naming parts of tooth numbers 6 through 11 and 19 and 30.
UCLA School of Dentistry
Link to course: Pre-Dental Quadrant Denture
Prerequisite: All participants must take the goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools. The curriculum will incorporate Beginner Tooth Waxing and Denture Course – before registering for this advanced course.
Course duration: 2 Day Course
Course Fee: $145
Materials Kit Fee: $295
What’s covered in the course: Behavior of wax hot flow and solidification to contour
gingiva surface; step-by-step procedure of the anterior and posterior teeth; identification of upper and lower anterior denture teeth; the art of arranging plastic teeth; gingiva contouring of both the upper and lower arches; teeth arrangement and anatomical landmarks; wax-up and festooning techniques; 3 steps of setting mandibular posterior teeth; written examination.
UCLA School of Dentistry
Link to course: UCLA Pre-medical/Pre-dental Enrichment Program (UCLA PREP)
Course duration: 5-6 weeks
Course Fee: There is no tuition for participation. Students who must relocate to participate in the program may be eligible for a stipend depending on availability of funds.
What’s covered in the course: Designed to provide premedical and predental students from disadvantaged backgrounds with a means of strengthening their ability and readiness to study medicine or dentistry. Participants are assigned to observe practicing physicians, dentists and medical researchers performing the typical functions of their profession.
University of California Los Angeles and Charles R. Drew University
Link to course: UCLA/Drew SHPEP
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: $600 stipend
What’s covered in the course: The UCLA/Drew SHPEP mission is to serve as a model
learning community in which scholars examine a variety of healthcare issues affecting medically underserved communities through problem-based learning cases, lectures, clinical experiences, small-group discussions, and a research project. Upon completion of this six-week program, scholars will be more aware of the urgent need for health care professionals in medically underserved communities and of the educational pathways that lead to providing medical, dental, and nursing services to underserved populations. All scholars will participate in a community-based health fair, weekly problem-based learning workshops on clinical cases, and a practical dental laboratory experience.
Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, CA
Link to course: Careers In Dentistry Workshop
Course duration: 4 days
Course fee: $300 per person, plus housing if needed
What’s covered in the course: Individuals are provided an in-depth look at various dental and dental hygiene careers with hands on activities.
University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA
Link to course: Pre-Dental Bootcamp (PDB)
Course duration: 4-5 days
Course fee: Not listed
What’s covered in the course: Basic dental courses as well as hands-on experience to pre-dental students
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, Los Angeles, CA
Link to course: USC Dental Explorers Program (DEP)
Course duration: 1 week
Course fee: $50 fee to secure your spot. No stipend is provided and all participants are required to provide their own lodging, transportation and cover any parking fees and other personal costs. A $5.00 lunch voucher, accepted only at on-campus dining venues, will be provided daily.
What’s covered in the course: Team building exercises, clinic shadowing experiences, a variety of hands-on clinical exercises and lectures on topical dentistry issues.
Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine, Pomona, CA
Link to course: Pre-Dental Day
Course duration: 1.5 days
Course fee: $100 for 1 day / $150 for 1.5 days course
What’s covered in the course: Mock interviews; DAT, personal statement, and application workshops; campus tour; practicing in the simulation clinic.
University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, Aurora, CO
Link to course: UCD Pre-Dental Day
Course duration: 1 day
Course fee: Not listed
What’s covered in the course: UCD Pre-Dental Club has a Pre-Dental day each semester
where you can get more information about their program, participate in a simulation clinic, and ask questions.
Howard University College of Dentistry, Washington, DC
Link to course: SHPEP (Summer Health Professions Education Program)
Course duration: 6 weeks full-time program
Course fee: No fees. Students will be provided with housing, breakfast and dinner, and a $600 stipend that will cover the costs for the program.
Program Contact: Lori B. Fenner (202) 806-0366 / [email protected]
What’s covered in the course: SHPEP at Howard University is an academically enriched program that is intended to contribute to a culture of health and promote diversity in health care by strengthening the academic proficiency and team-based care approach of underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students interested in pursuing careers in the health sciences. Howard offers the medical, dental, nursing, and pharmacy pathways. Opportunities to participate in clinical rounds in the hospital clinics, medical departments, dental clinics, and pharmacy and community settings depending on your career interests.
University of Washington, School of Dentistry
Link to course: UW Undergrad Course: OHS 201
Course duration: Offered each Spring Quarter
Course fee: Not listed
What’s covered in the course: Students will learn about the many aspects of dentistry and career opportunities within the profession.
University of Minnesota – School of Dentistry
Link to course: Dental School Prep Course
Course duration: 20 hours over 2.5 days
Course fee: $595
What’s covered in the course: Hands-on experience in cavity preparation, crown preparation, diagnostic impressions, cast fabrication, diagnostic wax-up, and bleaching tray fabrication.
Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine
Link to course: Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine Pre-Dental Course
Course duration: 5-day course
Course fee: Non-refundable Application Fee of $50; $1900 in residence (includes breakfast 5 days, lunch 4 days and dinner 5 days); $1400 commuter (includes breakfast 5 days, lunch 4 days and dinner 5 days)
What’s covered in the course: Make typodont impressions and pour them in stone; use high-speed dental handpiece and other dental instruments; Prepare cavity restorations; Mill a CAD CAM porcelain restoration with E4D; Model a central incisor in wax; Participate in dental specialty boot camp; Meet the Director of Admissions.
Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Link to course: Pre-Dental Beginner Tooth Waxing And Denture Course
Course duration: 1 day
Dental Kit Fee: $165
Course fee: $145
What’s covered in the course: Learn hands-on techniques of hot dropping wax patterns and shapes; Learn the behavior of wax hot flow and solidification; Learn a step-by-step procedure of reconstructing a mandibular molar; Setting upper and lower anterior denture teeth; Denture festooning techniques.
University of Florida – College of Dentistry
Link to course: Impressions Program
Course duration: 1 day
Course fee: Not listed
What’s covered in the course: Mock interviews; Alginate impression taking; Tooth waxing; Presentations from the UFCD Admissions Office and Kaplan on the admissions process and the DAT.
University of Florida – College of Dentistry
Link to course: Summer Health Professions Education Program: Dentistry (SHPEP)
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: Free. Stipend $600
What’s covered in the course: SHPEP is a FREE summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions.
The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA
Link to course: Student Educational Enrichment Program (SEEP PRE-COLLEGE) — SEEP Augusta
Course duration: 7 weeks
Course fee: Free. Participants receive a stipend
What’s covered in the course: Program prepares students for a future career in the health professions through an extensive academic program that includes courses in various biomedical sciences, hands-on labs, clinical shadowing, networking opportunities, and guest speakers.
Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN
Link to course: Dental Day
Course duration: 1 day [It happens once in the Spring and Fall]
Course fee: $135 (includes cost of supplies, light breakfast, lunch and t-shirt)
What’s covered in the course: Gives you the experience of a “Day in the Life” of a dental student. While designed to pique your interest in dentistry, this day is also valuable in helping you determine if this field is right for you. To accomplish this, the day focuses on facilitating a hands-on learning environment surrounding the clinical applications of dental school.
The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, Iowa City, IA
Link to course: IASDA’s Summer Pre-Dental Academy
Course duration: 3 day event held each June
Course fee: $350
What’s covered in the course: Hands on experiences in waxing maxillary incisors, taking diagnostic impressions, fabricating casts, creating custom mouthguards, and drilling a cavity preparation followed by a composite filling.
University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, Lexington, KY
Link to course: PEPP II Summer Program
Course duration: Four-and-a-half week residential program
Course fee: Fee is based on family annual income (after all allowable deductions) as reported on the family’s most recent IRS Form 1040.
What’s covered in the course: The program is designed to prepare college students from medically underserved Kentucky counties for the admissions process to medical or dental school. The program provides students with medical college admission and dental school admission test preparation, as well as clinical experiences in medicine and dentistry. Pre-dental students observe and shadow faculty and patients in the UK dental clinics and the UK College of Dentistry.
University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY
Link to course: Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: Free
What’s covered in the course: SHPEP program engages 60 scholars from across the country in Science Academic Enrichment; Medical, Nursing, Dental and Pharmacy Career Development; Personal Development; Health Equity and Health Policy; Learning Skills Orientation; Written & Oral Communication Development; Clinical Experience; and Financial Planning Orientation. The goal of SHPEP is to support the academic and career development of underrepresented/ underserved, and/or rural, and/or disadvantaged students in the health professions. Application material and program details are available at the SHPEP website. (www.shpep.org)
Louisiana State University Health Science Center School of Dentistry, New Orleans, LA
Link to course: Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: Free
What’s covered in the course: SHPEP program engages 60 scholars from across the country in Science Academic Enrichment; Medical, Nursing, Dental and Pharmacy Career Development; Personal Development; Health Equity and Health Policy; Learning Skills Orientation; Written & Oral Communication Development; Clinical Experience; and Financial Planning Orientation. The goal of SHPEP is to support the academic and career development of underrepresented/ underserved, and/or rural, and/or disadvantaged students in the health professions.
University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD
Link to course: Dentistry Today
Course duration: 3 days in June
Course fee: Not listed
What’s covered in the course: The program allows participants to learn about the dental profession, dental education, dental specialties and the wide range of career options available within dentistry. Topics include admissions information, financing your dental career, pediatric dentistry, endodontics, orthodontics, geriatric dentistry, periodontics and oral surgery. Participants receive a tour of the dental school, UMB campus and have an opportunity to interact with dental students in the classroom and clinical environments.
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM), Boston, MA
Link to course: Predental Day
Course duration: 1 day
Course fee: Not listed
What’s covered in the course: Predental day is a full day event where those interested in the dental field will be able to expand their knowledge about what lies ahead on the dental career path. During the day students will be provided with information about the application process, learn about life in dental school and engage in pre-clinical laboratory activities. Visitors will be able to interact with students throughout the day and get to see the Tufts Dental facilities up close.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Detroit, MI
Link to course: Summer Enrichment Program (SEP)
Course duration: 5 weeks
Course fee: SEP is a summer residential program that provides free housing and DAT preparation, and a stipend to cover food and travel expenses.
What’s covered in the course: SEP provides educational and professional development experiences for underrepresented and disadvantaged students who are current college juniors, seniors, or recent graduates. The goal of the program is to help participants successfully gain admission into dental school and pursue a career in Dentistry. Days at SEP will vary, but typically involve a morning spent in the Kaplan DAT Preparation Course at the School of Dentistry, a lunch break, study time, and scheduled rotations to shadow in the Detroit Mercy Dental clinics. Generally, SEP participants engage in planned activities from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. SEP includes workshops devoted to study skills, personal statements, interview preparation, and much more. Participants can interact with faculty, staff, administrators, and current students throughout their time at Detroit Mercy Dental. During most evenings, participants spend a significant amount of time studying for the DAT on their own or in small groups.
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Detroit, MI
Link to course: SNDA Impressions Day: Undergraduate Students
Course duration: 1 day
Course fee: Not listed
What’s covered in the course: Admissions and financial aid workshops; Tour of School of
Dentistry and simulation lab activities; Networking with URM students, faculty, and alumni.
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, MN
Link to course: Dental School Preparation Course
Course duration: 20 hours over 2.5 days (Offered in spring, summer, and fall)
Course fee: $595.00
What’s covered in the course: This is a university-based dental school preparation course. Students attend lectures and perform dental procedures as one would in dental school. Includes hands-on experience in cavity preparation, crown preparation, diagnostic impressions, cast fabrication, diagnostic wax-up, and bleaching tray fabrication.
University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry, Jackson, MS
Link to course: SNDA Impressions Program (SNDA Link)
Course duration: 1 day
Course fee: Free
What’s covered in the course: The program invites up to 35 undergraduate students from across Mississippi who are interested in a career in dentistry to the school for a day of networking, Dental Admission Test preparations, mock interviews and even some hands-on dental work in the simulation laboratory. The program is designed to help underserved students gain the knowledge to better navigate the challenging path to being accepted into dental school.
University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry (UNMC), Lincoln, NE
Link to course: SUMMER HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION PROGRAM (SHPEP)
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: Free
What’s covered in the course: UNMC SHPEP Scholars are have the opportunity to learn and practice hands-on skills in simulated environments in the state of the art Interprofessional Experiential Center for Enduring Learning (iEXCEL)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV
Link to course: UNLV Dental Simulation Course
Course duration: 2 days
Course fee: $200 which includes lunch both days
What’s covered in the course: During the course, participants work in UNLV SDM’s advanced pre-clinical laboratory and will gain valuable hands on experience: Make typodont impressions and pour them in stone — Learn how to build a competitive dental application Portfolio — Use a high speed dental handpiece and other dental instruments — Prepare cavity restorations using a high speed dental handpiece and other instruments — Fill cavity preparations using both amalgam and composite — Identify normal dentition — Model a central incisor in wax — Earn a certificate of course completion.
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ
Link to course: Gateway To Dentistry
Course duration: 2 weeks
Course fee: Application Fee: $50 + $170 for equipment, materials and identification badge required by the University (payable to RSDM) once accepted into the program. Participants bear the cost for personal expenses including room, board and transportation.
What’s covered in the course: Gateway to Dentistry is a 2-week interactive program that affords each participant a birds-eye exposure to the various aspects of the practice of dentistry. The program is open to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year students and qualified recent graduates. Program includes: Introduction to student life — Hands on clinical techniques — Introduction to dental specialties — Preclinical laboratory procedures — Financial aid projections — Admissions process & counseling — Research opportunities and much more!
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ
Link to course: SHPEP
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: Free – $600 stipend
What’s covered in the course: (SHPEP) is a free summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions. SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools. The curriculum will incorporate interprofessional education competencies and leadership as foundational elements threaded throughout all courses and experiences. A typical week will include team building exercises, simulation/ roleplaying, basic science and quantitative courses, wellness activities, academic strategies, leadership development and clinical experiences.
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NY
Link to course: SHPEP
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: Free – A $600 stipend
What’s covered in the course: SHPEP at Columbia University Medical Center provides students interested in pursuing a career within the health professions with a well-defined, integrated approach to learning, focusing on the core science curriculum needed to apply to health professions schools for medicine, dentistry, nursing, public health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nutrition. Students will engage in intense coursework, labs, learning-skills, and career development courses during the six weeks of the program while participating in practical experiences and seminars. Clinical experiences will be incorporated into the curriculum for all scholars based on their specialty of interest. Each pre-medical scholar will receive clinical experiences in a hospital, outpatient clinic or community setting. Students in the dental pathway will participate in weekly pre-clinical lab experiences.
Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College, Hawthorne, NY
Link to course: TouroCDM Pre-Dental Day
Course duration: 1 day
Course fee: Not listed
What’s covered in the course: Learn about Touro College of Dental Medicine, including the application process and curriculum. Experience our state-of-the-art simulation lab. Speak with current students about life at TouroCDM.
East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine, Greenville, NC
Link to course: Preparing Tomorrow’s Dentists Summer Program
Course duration: 2.5 days
Course fee: $20 application fee
What’s covered in the course: Along with an orientation of the school and various university activities, the Preparing Tomorrow’s Dentists Summer Program will include: an overview of the freshman year in dental school; hands on laboratory experiences; opportunities to interact with dental students in the clinical setting; and seminars in Time Management and Test Taking Skills. All applicants must be 18 years or older and residents of North Carolina.
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, NC
Link to course: The Medical Education Development (MED) Program
Course duration: 9 weeks
Course fee: Free. The amount of the taxable stipend is ~$2400, which is distributed in three installments of $800 at 21 day intervals. These funds are intended to help subsidize the cost of meals, transportation, and general living expenses. Housing and other program materials are provided by the MED Program.
What’s covered in the course: The MED program is a demanding academic preparatory
program for minority and underrepresented students with an intensive curriculum that mimics the first semester of medical and dental school.
University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, Oklahoma City, OK
Link to course: Pre-Dental Clinical Simulation Course
Course duration: 1 day
Course fee: Not listed
What’s covered in the course: Students attending the pre dental clinical simulation course
will have the opportunity to learn the following in a state of the art pre-clinical simulation lab:
Use various dental instruments – Use waxing instruments to wax teeth to proper form and function – Use a high speed handpiece to prepare class cavity preparations – Restore cavity preparations with amalgam – Restore cavity preparations with composite – Take impressions of typodonts and pour them in stone – Develop hand skills and a working knowledge of clinical dentistry – Take part in a presentation given by the OU COD admissions office – Have access to current dental students attending OU COD for a Q&A session – Take a practical and written examination for certification of attendance.
Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry, Portland, OR
Link to course: OHSU Dive into Dentistry Program
Course duration: 10 hours over 1.5 days
Course fee: $150 – includes $75 non-refundable deposit
What’s covered in the course: Experience life as a dental student and discover dentistry by acquiring hands-on experience in crown preparation, diagnostic impressions, cast fabrication, diagnostic wax-up and anterior restoration. Exercises and laboratory procedures directed by current faculty & students.
Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX
Link to course: SPEP Collegiate II
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: Free — Stipend to cover the cost of food and other expenses and housing accommodation provided. Participants are responsible for: Travel, Parking Expenses (to, from, and during the Program), Immunization fees
What’s covered in the course: SPEP Collegiate II is a six-week program which provides college and post-college students an opportunity to: prepare for and successfully take the DAT,
strengthen their academic science background, learn more about the field of dental medicine, broaden their interest in biomedical and clinical sciences, learn useful study patterns for professional study, increase their competitiveness for admission to dental school, and
enhance their success once admitted to dental school.
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry, Houston, TX
Link to course: SUMMER HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION PROGRAM (SHPEP)
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: Free
What’s covered in the course: (SHPEP) is a free, six-week career-enrichment program for
college freshman and sophomore students, interested in a career within the health professions. In order to apply to the SHPEP program at UTHealth, please visit www.shpep.org. The SHPEP online application will be available starting on November 1. There are two primary application deadlines: Early Decision (February 1) or Regular Decision (March 1). Interested students are encouraged to apply early as the review of complete applicants for early decision will begin in December. Lab experience in the human anatomy facility at the medical school will be offered through the six-week experience. Simulation Lab sessions for nursing, medicine and dentistry participants.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry, San Antonio, TX
Link to course: Learning Enhancement for Achievement in Dentistry (LEAD)
Course duration: 3 weeks
Course fee: $1,100 stipend for those who are selected
What’s covered in the course: 3-Week Summer Pre-Dental Enrichment Program for students in college. Includes: DAT preparation – mini-courses in dental school courses – admissions process counseling – application workshops – preceptorships (shadowing) – cultural awareness sessions – leadership development – clinic introduction sessions – hands-on activities – mentoring to become competitive dental school applicants – tutoring to enhance academic performance while attending dental school.
Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine, South Jordan, UT
Link to course: Roseman University Pre-Dental Simulation Course
Course duration: 2 days
Course fee: Not listed
What’s covered in the course: Students will get to experience: The Roseman Six-Point Mastery Learning Model while participating in basic dental anatomy and radiology courses, including hands-on breakout activity with models – Learn crown preps, fillings, impressions and models, with help from dental students and Roseman faculty – tour of Roseman, ask questions, participate in mock interviews, and join deans and faculty for dinner.
University of Utah School of Dentistry, Salt Lake City, UT
Link to course: Pre-Dental Day
Course duration: 1 day
Course fee: $150 – $200
What’s covered in the course: University of Utah School simulation day provides pre-dental students the experience to tour their school, perform dental procedures in their technique lab, network with current students and the director of admissions, and hear from their faculty.
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA
Link to course: InDent program
Course duration: 1 week
Course fee: Application fee $25 + Tuition: $475. For an additional $750, hotel accommodations for Sunday through Thursday nights, daily breakfast and transportation to and from the VCU School of Dentistry will be provided. All hotel rooms will be single occupancy.
What’s covered in the course: InDent is a one-week summer program designed to introduce college students to the dental profession. Program Highlights: Shadowing in specialty clinics, hands-on preclinical laboratory procedures, advising session, DAT prep sessions and interactive dental seminars with faculty members.
University of Washington School of Dentistry, Seattle, WA
Link to course: Oral Health Sciences 201: Planning A Career in Dentistry for the Future
Course duration: Class meets Mondays and Wednesdays in Spring Quarter
Course fee: Not listed
What’s covered in the course: Students will learn about the many aspects of dentistry and career opportunities within the profession. This course, offered each spring quarter, is designed for students contemplating a career in dentistry. By the completion of the course, participants should have a greater insight about oral health and disease, the dental profession, and what will be required to pursue this career pathway.
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Link to course: UW SHPEP
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: Free. $600 Stipend
What’s covered in the course: Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in medical,
dental and public health shadowing experiences. These experiences will be predominantly in community based clinics and organizations serving diverse communities and build on the strong curricular themes of social equity and reducing health disparities. Clinical experiences will also involve interprofessional cases in a medical and dental simulation laboratory.
West Virginia University School of Dentistry, Morgantown, WV
Link to course: Destination Dentistry
Course duration: 1 Day
Course fee: Not listed
What’s covered in the course: This full-day program to help West Virginia pre-dental
college students chart a successful path into dental school includes seminars on basic sciences, oral health, and dental career topics; roundtable discussions about applying to dental school; and laboratory activities offered by dental faculty and students.
University of Iowa
Link to course: SHPEP
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: Free. Stipend $600
What’s covered in the course: SHPEP at the University of Iowa is a free, six-week summer program for undergraduate students interested in health professional careers. Students who complete the program are guaranteed an admissions interview at the Carver College of Medicine, College of Dentistry, and College of Pharmacy. The scholars will have opportunities to shadow healthcare providers at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics as well as other local settings. Providers will include physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacist, and those who work in public health. There will be opportunities to work in an underserved health clinic with the University of Iowa Mobile Clinic.
Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
Link to course: Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)
Course duration: 6 weeks
Course fee: Free. $600 stipend
What’s covered in the course: Western University SHPEP is a rigorously inter-professional program offered in a diverse and vibrant urban environment. Student learning of foundational science, inter-professional teamwork, health disparities and healthcare policy will be driven by weekly clinical cases. In addition to the career pathways in Medicine, Dentistry, Physical Therapy and Optometry, SHPEP participants at Western University with an interest in other health care professions will have the opportunity to participate in advanced experiences in Physician Assistant, Nursing (including Nurse Practitioner), Pharmacy, and Podiatric Medicine. Opportunities to shadow clinicians in the Western University Patient Care Center can be made by individual arrangement outside of scheduled class hours.