Destination Dental School

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.

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. 

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.
  

• 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.

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.

• Dr. Wendell Carmona, program director, Destination Dental School, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
• Dr. Simone Duarte, associate dean of faculty affairs, equity, diversity, and inclusion, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine 
• Dr. Arian Johnson, founder, Destination Dental School
• 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 

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 and Delta Dental Foundation. Additional donors and sponsorships will be updated as received. 

Contact Jessica Scates at jmscates@buffalo.edu with any questions. 

1. U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or an individual granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status. Canadian citizens may be considered.
2. Enrolled undergraduate student or recipient of a bachelor's degree.
3. Minimum overall college GPA of 2.75.
4. Disadvantaged and underrepresented status as described below. Individuals from underrepresented or 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.
   • Other identified disadvantage. 

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. 

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. 

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 pipeline program to remove barriers for under-represented students who are seeking careers in dentistry. Her inspiration resulted in the launch of Destination Dental School in 2021.