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2023 Dental Health Summer Institute
This year, the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation and Old Dominion University’s Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene hosted our second annual Dental Health Summer Institute (DHSI) to grow and diversify the oral health workforce.
Through this free program, approximately 30 high school students learn about oral health professions by spending five half days at the Institute (virtually and in-person) where ODU faculty and staff teach them how to apply to colleges, give them a sample of what college life is like by teaching mini-sessions and expose them to professionals in oral health care.
When the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation first approached Associate Professor and Chair, Ann Bruhn, BSDH, MS, RDH about replicating a similar program by NYU School of Dentistry, Ann stepped up to accept the challenge of hosting this event. Ann recruited an incredible team of faculty who helped develop the curriculum, recruit students and teach the courses. In addition, they received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to follow up with students and see if they choose to pursue a profession or education in oral health.
Polly Raible, Executive Director of the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation said, “Without Ann and the ODU faculty, we would not have been able to get this important initiative off the ground. They have been instrumental in the success of the Institute and have been a wonderful partner. We are so grateful for them.”
Ann Bruhn added, “The Dental Health Summer Institute is an incredible opportunity for students interested in the dental profession—providing hands-on laboratory experiences along with lectures on dental anatomy, radiology, dental materials, professional oral care, professional roles, values of diverse graduates and specific admissions and financial aid information to assist and connect prospective students. We are thrilled to participate in the program at the ODU School of Dental Hygiene and have already had prior DHSI students attend informational orientations in preparation to apply to our program.”
Planning for the third annual Dental Health Summer Institute will begin in the fall.
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