Destination Dental School

Destination Dental School is an intense gateway experience for students who are interested in a career in dentistry. This program prepares students who have been historically underrepresented in the profession to successfully apply and be accepted to dental school.

*2022 Cohort for the Destination Dental School and Native American Pre-Dental Student Gateway Program_Image.

In this annual 8-week summer program, DDS Fellows 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. Students attend seven virtual sessions, held on Saturdays in June and July, and a three-day, in-person, intensive training program at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. DDS Fellows receive stipends to cover travel and lodging expenses, reimbursement for one DAT and a waived application fee to UB SDM.

In 2022, UB's DDS program partnered with the Native American Pre-Dental Student Gateway to Dentistry program to combine virtual and in-person events. 

2022 Inspiring Program in STEM Award Logo.

2022 Inspiring Program in STEM Award Winner

Each year, INSIGHT Into Diversity 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, highlighting programs that demonstrated inventiveness and dedication in supporting a new generation of high-achieving scholars and professionals.

Thanks to our Donors and Sponsors

This program would not be possible without the support of our generous donors and sponsors.

2022 Donors for DDS include the Phil Galeota Family. Donors for the 2022 Gateway Program include the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET), Native American Professional Parent Resources, Inc. (NAPPR), and the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board (SPTHB).

Program sponsors include: Evolution Dental, Ivoclar Vivadent, ODL Orthodontic Labs, Patterson Dental, UB's Office of Inclusive Excellence and support from DAT Bootcamp.

Join Us in Our Efforts - Contribute to this Program

The Class of 2022

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! 

Class of 2021

DDS 2021 participants.

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.

About Destination Dental School

Diversity dental school Graphic.

Program Benefits: 

  • Stipend to cover travel and lodging expenses
  • Reimbursement for one Dental Admissions Test (DAT)
  • DAT study resources
  • A waived application fee to the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine

Program Dates:

DDS is a summer program that includes both virtual and in-person components. The schedule for the 2023 program will be annoucned soon. 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
     Seven two-hour Saturday sessions in June and July (14 hours total)

  • In-person Programming
     < dates coming soon>
    One week at the University at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine

Program Location:

Virtual programming is led via Zoom.

The in-person, intensive training program is 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. Joe Salamon, Dental Services Director, Seneca Nation Health Systems and Program Director, Native American Pre-Dental Student Gateway Program Director
Dr. Arian Johnson, Founder, Destination Dental School
Jessica Scates, Coordinator of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine 

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 post-baccalaureate.
  • Minimum overall college GPA of 2.5.
  • Fully vaccinated (COVID-19) or produces a negative test result administered by a medical professional within 72 hours of the in-person component.
  • Meets one or more of the eligibility requirements listed below: 

Underrepresented Minority Status:
Here, underrepresented minorities are defined as groups that are underrepresented in the dental workforce. They include individuals who identify as:

  • Black/African American
  • Hispanic or Latino/Latinx
  • American Indian or Alaska Native (students who identify as AI/AN may only apply to one SDM pathway program, Destination Dental School OR the Native American Pre-Dental Student Gateway Program)
  • Native Hawaiian
  • Pacific Islander

Disadvantaged Status: 
Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds are defined as those who meet two or more of the following criteria:

  1. Were or currently are homeless, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; 
  2. Were or currently are in the foster care system, as defined by the Administration for Children and Families; 
  3. Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years; 
  4. Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree; 
  5. Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants; 
  6. Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a parent or child; 
  7. 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.

How to Connect?

Contact Jessica Scates (jmscates@buffalo.edu) with any questions. 

Apply Here

The application cycle for the 2023 program will launch in January 2023

Please stay tuned!

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Academics

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Eligibility

COVID-19 Vaccination Status
The UB SDM requires visitors who are to be in the clinics to be fully vaccinated (including a booster if eligible) or to produce a negative COVID-19 test result administered within 72 hours of the visit. Documentation must show testing was administered by a medical professional (at home tests do not meet this requirement).

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Underrepresented Status
To be eligible for this program you must meet one of the following qualifications (underrepresented minority status or disadvantaged status):

Underrepresented Minority Status
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Disadvantaged Status (eligible candidates must meet two or more of the following criteria)
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Research Experience

 
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Looking Ahead

Have you previously submitted an application to any dental schools?
Have you previously submitted an application to any dental schools?
 
 
 
What do you expect/aspire to do after graduating from your undergraduate program? (check all that apply)
What do you expect/aspire to do after graduating from your undergraduate program? (check all that apply)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Recruitment Information

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Please state your reasons for applying to this program. Consider answering one or more of these questions in your statement:

  • Why do you want to pursue a career in dentistry?
  • Do you have any experiences that qualify you as a healthcare professional? Or more specifically a dental health care professional?
  • Have you encountered challenges that have affected your educational career, either positively or negatively?
  • Do you have any specific prior life experiences (in academia, professional, volunteer, etc.) that show your dedication to the pursuit of a career in dentistry?
  • Is there any additional information that will help us evaluate your preparation and ability to succeed?
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Letters of Recommendation

Two (2) letters of recommendation from people who know you well (professor, advisor, supervisor, etc) should be sent directly to the program. The person submitting the letter must use the Letters of Recommendation Form.

  1. Go to the Letters of Recommendation Form page
  2. Copy the website address and send it to anyone who is writing a letter for you

Agreement

By submitting this application, I affirm that the facts set forth in it are true and complete. By signing this application, and if selected, I understand that it is my responsibility to attend all DDS functions* and educational activities, both virtual and in-person, to maintain my DDS Fellow status. I also understand that all DDS activities are mandatory, unless specified otherwise, and that failure to comply with program guidelines may jeopardize my benefits.

*A portion of Destination Dental School 2022 will be held in person at the University at Buffalo. If accepted to the program, this may require travel. If a physical disability precludes you from traveling, please inform our program administrators within your application.

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How it Started...

Arian.

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. 

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