Destination Dental School
Destination Dental School is an intense gateway experience for undergraduate students and bachelor degree recipients who are interested in a career in dentistry. This program prepares individuals to successfully apply to dental school.
2025 Application Cycle Has Closed
The application cycle for the 2025 Destination Dental School program closed on Feb. 17 at 11:59 p.m. Please contact Ms. Jessica Scates at jmscates@buffalo.edu with any questions.
About the Program
In this annual summer program, DDS Fellows learn about the dental profession, dental school application, financing strategies, and the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), participate in hands-on activities, conduct research projects, and network with faculty mentors, dental students and community leaders. Students attend six virtual sessions held on Saturdays in April and May, and a five-day, in-person, intensive training program at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. DDS Fellows' travel and lodging expenses are covered through our program. Graduates receive reimbursement for one DAT and a waived application fee to the UBSDM.
Three-Time Winner of Inspiring Program in STEM Award
Each year, INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine recognizes colleges, universities, and organizations that have established cutting-edge programs, events, and initiatives devoted to the work of improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in STEM. Destination Dental School was selected as one of 77 programs across the nation for the 2022 Inspiring Program in STEM Award, one of 79 programs for the 2023 award, and one of 82 programs for the 2024 award highlighting programs that demonstrated inventiveness and dedication in supporting a new generation of high-achieving scholars and professionals.
Since 2022, the DDS program has partnered with the Native American Pre-Dental Student Gateway to Dentistry program to combine virtual and in-person events.
About Destination Dental School 2025
Program Dates
DDS is a summer program that includes both virtual and in-person components. Fellows are required to attend all virtual and in-person programming to maintain their status in the program and be eligible for DDS program benefits:
- Virtual Programming
Six Saturday sessions from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on April 5, 12, 26 and May 3, 10, 17 (15 hours total). - In-person Programming
June 1-5, 2025 (with recommended travel days of Saturday, May 30, and Friday, June 6) at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
Program Benefits
- Reimbursement for cost of travel to UB.
- Lodging, breakfast and lunch included in the in-person component.
- Reimbursement for one Dental Admissions Test (DAT).
- DAT study resources.
- A waived application fee to the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
Program Location
Virtual programming is led via Zoom.
The in-person training program is held at the University at Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine in Buffalo, NY, USA.
Program Leadership
- Dr. Simone Duarte, associate dean of faculty affairs, equity, diversity, and inclusion, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
- Dr. Arian Johnson, founder and program director, Destination Dental School, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
- Dr. Joe Salamon, dental services director, Seneca Nation Health Systems and program director, Native American Pre-Dental Student Gateway Program
- Ms. Jessica Scates, director of equity, diversity and inclusion operations, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Thank you to our donors and sponsors!
This program would not be possible without the support of our donors and sponsors. To date, the 2025 program has received generous support from the Catherine and Philip Galeota Family, Delta Dental Foundation, UB School of Dental Medicine Alumni Association, Eighth District Dental Foundation, KaVo Dental Technologies, Kerr Dental, and Ivoclar. Additional donors and sponsorships will be updated as received.
Ready to connect?
Contact Jessica Scates at jmscates@buffalo.edu with any questions.
Application Instructions
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or an individual granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status. Canadian citizens may be considered.
- Enrolled undergraduate student or recipient of a bachelor's degree.
- Minimum overall college GPA of 2.75.
- Disadvantaged status as described below. Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds are defined as those who meet two or more of the following criteria:
- Were or currently are homeless, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act;
- Were or currently are in the foster care system, as defined by the Administration for Children and Families;
- Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years;
- Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree;
- Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants;
- Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a parent or child;
- Grew up in one of the following areas: a) a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer, or b) a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zip codes are included in the file). Only one of the two possibilities in #7 can be used as a criterion for the disadvantaged background definition.
Application Review
All application packages will be reviewed holistically. In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria outlined, preference will be given to candidates based on the following qualities: investigation of the profession, persistence and resilience, commitment to service, pursuit of leadership and communication and accuracy.
Use of Generative AI
While the application committee understands and appreciates the power of AI in today’s world, we believe it must be used appropriately. Please refrain from using AI to generate answers to questions posed within this application.
Preparing Your Application
We encourage you to consider preparing your application offline. View a list of the application components here. Then, return to this page to complete your application.
Destination Dental School and the Native American Pre-Dental Gateway Program welcomed 31 students to UB in June 2024. Fellows represented 10 U.S. states or territories and 20 universities and colleges. Fifty percent were New York State residents with 20% attending UB. Their ages ranged from 19 to 35 years old. Fellows spent 5 weeks in virtual sessions and one week at UB SDM where they interacted with over 70 students, staff, and faculty during clinical rotations, hands-on-activities, through research projects, and in mock interviews and resume clinics.
Destination Dental School 2024 Report
The 2024 report summarizes the program, highlights students reflections, and shares program outcomes and impacts to date.
Destination Dental School and the Native American Pre-Dental Student Gateway Program welcomed 30 aspiring dentists to its program during the summer of 2023. Our Fellows represented 13 states and 24 colleges and universities. Their ages ranged from 19 to 37 years old. Fellows spent 6 weeks in virtual Saturday sessions and one-week at the UB SDM where they interacted with dozens of students and residents in clinical rotations and hands on activities, presented capstone research projects, participated in mock interviews and resume clinics, and networked with faculty, staff and community partners.
Destination Dental School 2023 Report
The 2023 report summarizes the program, the perceived outcomes and reflections from student participants, and impacts of the program on student applications and enrollment in dental schools to date.
The Destination Dental School and Native American Pre-dental Student Gateway Program welcomed 30 students from across the nation to the University at Buffalo in July 2022. Fellows represented 17 U.S. States and 28 universities and colleges from across the nation. Their ages ranged from 19 to 45 years old. This cohort spent seven weeks learning virtually about dental medicine and dental school and then joined us as the inaugural in-person class! Time in Buffalo was well-spent, meeting one another, studying for the DAT, prepping for admissions, completing hands-on activities and enjoying Buffalo summers!
Destination Dental School 2022 Report
Published in December 2022, this report summarizes the program, the perceived outcomes and reflections from student participants, and impacts of the program on student applications and enrollment in dental schools to date.
The Destination Dental School inaugural class of 2021 included 24 participants from across the United States, stretching from New York to Florida to California. These talented students spent every Saturday morning with us during the summer of 2021 learning about the field of dental medicine, participating in hands on activities, and completing capstone research projects. We look forward to a continued partnership with them and the good work they will accomplish in their future dental careers.
How it Started...
Arian Johnson, DDS, Class of 2021
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee;
Student National Dental Association; Diversity Chair
Dr. Arian Johnson, UB SDM class of 2021, was born and raised on the east side of Buffalo, NY, a predominantly Black neighborhood that is highly impacted socioeconomically. Dr. Johnson was the first in her family to obtain a Bachelor’s degree and pursue a Doctorate; consequently, she recognizes her role as an advocate and leader for her community. Because of the lack of diversity in the dental profession, she was inspired to propose a dental pathway program to remove barriers for students who are seeking careers in dentistry. Her inspiration resulted in the launch of Destination Dental School in 2021.