SIU SDM Hosts Pre-Dental Day for the BESt Health Care Institute

SIU SDM Hosts Pre-Dental Day for the BESt Health Care Institute

July 17, 2024, 10:08 PM

The SIU School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM), in partnership with the BESt Healthcare Institute, was pleased to host Pre-Dental Day at the School's Alton Campus. Collaborating with the BESt Healthcare Institute, SIU SDM students and faculty invited local underrepresented in medicine students to the School to encourage them to consider dentistry as a career path. This program was designed to offer these students the essential resources and mentorship needed to foster their interest in and pursuit of dental careers.

"We are very excited to collaborate with the BESt Healthcare Institute to introduce and inspire local high school students from multicultural backgrounds to careers in dentistry and oral health care through this one-day immersive program," said Nathalia Garcia, DDS, MS, Assistant Dean for Career Development at SIU SDM. "Our goal is to provide these students with valuable insights and hands-on experiences that highlight the opportunities and rewards of pursuing a career in dental health. We also hope to highlight the impact of SIUE and the School of Dental Medicine."

During Pre-Dental Day, held on Thursday, June 27, SIU SDM students and faculty hosted 27 area high school students. The participants had a full day full of activities, starting with a welcome by Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, and Dean of SIU SDM. Garcia provided a career introduction session, and Kathryn Carter, EdD, MS and Section Head of Anatomy, offered a Biomedical Sciences Applied to Dentistry Interactive Session.

Deb Dixon, DMD, MSC, Section Head of Diagnostic Sciences, provided a campus tour. Current dental students then helped facilitate a hands-on experience, as well as several interactive games. The day concluded with a discussion panel, including Angela Pritchett, director of admissions at SIU SDM, and several of the dental students, sharing personal experiences related to getting into dental school and answering questions from the participants.

The participants defined the program in their post-event surveys as "exciting," "informative," "impressive," "fun," and "motivating."

"The event seemed very successful, and I think the participants got a lot out of it," said Jacob McGiles, a fourth-year dental student. "I hope SIU SDM can continue to host this event in future years!"

PHOTOS: Students on SIU SDM campus with dental instructors during Pre-Dental Day, in partnership with the BESt Healthcare Institute