Destination Dental School is an intense gateway experience for students who are interested in a career in dentistry. This program will prepare students who have been historically underrepresented in the profession to successfully apply and be accepted to dental school.
UB's 2022 Destination Dental School program will partner with the 2022 Native American Pre-Dental Gateway to Dentistry program to combine virtual and in-person events.
2022 Destination Dental School (DDS) Fellows will meet over eight weeks throughout June and July 2022 to learn about the dental profession and dental school application and financing strategies, study for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), participate in hands-on activities, conduct research projects, and network with faculty mentors, dental students and community leaders. DDS Fellows will meet for seven virtual sessions on Saturdays in June and July, 2022, and a three-day, in-person, intensive training program at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine from July 25-27. DDS Fellows will receive a stipend to cover travel and lodging expenses, reimbursement for one DAT and a waived application fee to UB SDM.
Program Benefits:
DDS is a summer program that includes both virtual and in-person components as outlined below. Fellows will be 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 will be led via Zoom.
The in-person, intensive training program will be held at the University at Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine in Buffalo, NY, USA.
Program Leadership:
Dr. Thikriat Al-Jewair, Assistant Dean, Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Dr. Wendell Carmona, Program Director, Destination Dental School, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Dr. Arian Johnson, Founder, Destination Dental School
Jessica Scates, Coordinator of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Eligibility:
Underrepresented Minority Status:
Here, underrepresented minorities are defined as groups that are underrepresented in the dental workforce. They include individuals who identify as:
Disadvantaged Status:
Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds are defined as those who meet two or more of the following criteria:
Contact Jessica Scates (jmscates@buffalo.edu) with any questions.
Many thanks to the talented students who applied to this year's program.
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.
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.