Minority Student Dental Association

1
Minority Student Dental Association

• A Brief Overview
• Dr. Fred Ferguson
• MSDA Faculty Advisor, The Reach Founder
• Dan Gehani Stony Brook School of Dental
  Medicine Class of 2006
• MSDA Organization Founder

2
Did You Know That

• 2 million minorities dont have health insurance,
  with Korean Americans having the highest rate of
  uninsurance (40) among all racial/ethnic groups.
• Currently the ratio of minorities in the United
  States vs. minority dentists is staggering.
• There is NO organized group for dental students
  to learn and exchange ideas concerning minority
  issues

• Minority faculty at medical institutions are less
  likely than Caucasian faculty to hold senior
  academic rank.
• Minority populations in America are growing
  faster than any other population group.
• Half this population has difficulty accessing
  dental health treatment because they dont speak
  English and cant find services to meet their
  needs.

3
The Reach

• A Program to Increase the Recruitment of
  Underrepresented Applicants to the Dental
  Profession

4
Minorities in Dentistry
While the United States as a whole has become
more diverse with minorities making up 25 percent
of the total U.S. population, only a handful (14
percent) are currently practicing dentistry, and
only 11 percent entering dental schools are
underrepresented minorities
5
Current Issues

• A recent study in the Journal of Dental Education
  from Sept. 2004 entitled, The Pathway to
  Dentistry for Minority Students From Their
  Perspective by Keith Veal, et.al found that
• Early and frequent exposure to dentistry and
  dentists in practice is essential for minority
  students to consider this profession
• While many dental schools have earnestly tried to
  recruit minority applicants, most URM students
  find out about dental programs by a family member
  or friend and not as a result of an intentional
  recruiting effort
• Hearing directly from minority students could be
  a solid first step in understanding the dental
  school experience from a different vantage point.

6
Goals of The Reach

• To reach those students who might consider the
  dental profession and prepare them for
  application to professional school
• Provide an overview of the profession to
  prospective underrepresented minority students
• Provide an opportunity to communicate with
  students and faculty at the SDM, and graduates in
  the field

7
How will we Reach our goals?

• The INTERNET
• High school and College students are using the
  internet more than ever before. We can use this
  tool to communicate with these prospective
  students in an efficient and effective way.
• Upon confirmation to attend Stony Brook, all
  undergraduate students who identify themselves as
  a minority, will receive a greeting letter by
  email from Dr. Ferguson. The letter will give
  background information on The Reach, and a link
  to its website
• This program will initially begin among students
  here at Stony Brook, and eventually expand to
  other colleges in Long Island and ultimately
  include High Schools as well

8
The Reach Web Page

• Why become a dentist?
• What is the scope of the profession? (general
  practice and specialties, where can you work,
  what can you expect to earn)
• What are the educational demands?
• How to prepare for dental school
• What happens in dental school (Brief description
  of the coursework at SDM)
• What happens after graduation from dental school?

9
The Reach Web Page (cont)

• Sources for scholarships and financial aid
• Contact list of dental students, faculty and
  graduates of the SDM who will provide information
  about their experiences
• Links to various student and professional
  organizations
• Articles about oral health and the profession
• The Reach calendar events and announcements
• Sign up for our newsletter

10
Faculty Involved in The Reach

• Dr. Fred Ferguson, Founder
• Dr. Mark S. Wolff, Web site development
• Dr. Kathy Yunger, Alumni contacts
• Judith Berke-Berhannon, Main campus administrator
• Dr. Erin Riley, Admissions and Student Affairs
• Dr. John Chaves, Consultant

11
Goals of the Minority Student Dental Association

• To be committed to the improvement of the
  delivery of dental health to all people, with an
  emphasis on minorities and/or the underserved.
• Voice for minority healthcare issues as well as
  those faced by minority dentists
• Help develop culturally sensitive skills
  essential for minority dentists and those who
  will be working in a minority community

12
Goals of MSDA (cont)

• National service projects Bone marrow drive and
  blood donor drives
• Oral cancer and dental health screenings within
  minority communities
• Provide opportunities for professional and
  personal growth of its members
• Increase awareness at national dental societies
  of the current situation regarding minority
  students
• To promote and encourage an increase in minority
  enrollment in all dental schools

13
What Can I Do With MSDA?

• Help organize and efficiently run The Reach
• Organize events like blood drives, oral cancer
  and dental health screenings in minority
  communities, presentations from minority dentists
  and SDM faculty, culture shows and performances
  at the SDM Talent Show, etc.
• Break those stereotypes! Refine your leadership
  skills by becoming an officer on the Executive
  Board
• Educate your peers, community, and yourself

14
Maybe youre still wondering, What is MSDA and
The Reach? The answer to that question
is.
15
MSDA and The Reach is what YOU, the members, make
it out to be. MSDAs involvement with the
community, its connections with dentists
nationwide, its reputation, the strength of its
voice Its all decided by YOU!
16
Join MSDA Now!
Sign up today, and find out more at our national
website, www.MinorityDental.org ! (coming soon!!)