Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students - Increasing the University of Minnesota Enrollment and Retention of Disadvantaged Students Program in primary dental care, rural, Tribal, and medically underserved communities. University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Moos Health Sciences Tower 515 Delaware Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 www.dentistry.umn.edu Joel D. Mixon, PhD Director of Inclusive Excellence 612-201-3275 (office phone) mixon005@umn.edu Funding Request Yr 1: $637,635 Funding Request Yr 2: $636,128 Funding Request Yr 3: $636,128 Funding Request Yr 4: $636,128 Funding Request Yr 5: $636,128 Total Funding Request: $3,182,147 Request for Funding Priority Points. The proposed project qualifies and seeks approval for the funding preference and 8 funding priority points (Priorities # 1, 2, 3, and 4). Project overview. The proposed project will improve access to care in primary care and medically vulnerable communities by reducing the financial burden of disadvantaged students to increase enrollment and retention in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Needs. The cost of dental school challenges all students and schools nationwide. This need is even more challenging for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry faces significant issues recruiting, enrolling, and graduating students from disadvantaged backgrounds to work in primary dental care, rural, Tribal, and medically vulnerable communities. Services. The proposed project will actively recruit to retain and graduate dental students who meet the eligibility criteria of the program. Scholarship opportunities will be awarded to students who are economically, environmentally, or geographically disadvantaged. Full-time dental students who plan to work in primary dental care, rural, Tribal, and medically vulnerable communities post graduation will be prioritized in the candidate selection process. Population. Likely scholarship recipients will provide training and care to communities assigned by the SOD Community Outreach and Engagement Division. Community rotations are required before graduation. Currently there are 24 sites across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. These partnerships have been cultivated over the past 22 years when the SOD first created the Division of Outreach. Of the sites, 11 are rural and the Mobile Dental Clinic visits 7 additional rural areas for one week per month throughout the year. All rotations serve people who have limited or less than adequate access to dental care. Objectives. The goals and objectives of this program are to continue UMN SOD’s commitment of increasing 1) enrollment and retention of full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds, 2) the number of graduates who practice in primary care, and 3) the number of graduates working in rural, Tribal and other medically vulnerable communities who are more likely to practice in primary care. How the Objectives will be Accomplished. The Project will implement the project with the support of the Financial and Administrative Specialist and the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee will finalize the Program Guidelines, make awards, and meet bi-annually to review recipients’ continued eligibility and/or to make additional awards. The Project Director will work with the entire Project Team to ensure all steed activities and objectives in the Workplan are completed.
