The Journal of the American College of Dentists
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There is a large disparity between the proportions of African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans in the general population and in the dental profession. While these underrepresented minorities (URMs) as a group make up almost 30% of the United States population, they constitute only about 6% of the nation's dentists. Eliminating this disparity is important in addressing access to care for underrepresented groups. ⋯ These services are available to all students and include monitoring of students' academic performance followed up with academic advisement as appropriate, peer tutoring, an alternative five-year curriculum, professional psychological counseling, professional learning assessments, social support; and mentoring through student organizations. The retention program at TAMHSC-BCD can serve as a model for other dental and other health professions schools seeking ways to ensure the academic success of their URM students. The more of these students we enroll and graduate, the more the problem of access to dental care is addressed.
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The Institute of Medicine report on dental education in the mid-1990s called specific attention to the need for authentic assessment of student progress and outcomes. This corresponded with the advent of competency-based dental education, resulting in recognition of the need for new methods to assess dental students knowledge, skills, and values in the context of beginning independent dental practice. The portfolio approach to assessment uses a rich collection of cumulative evidence from multiple sources in ways that address this need. Because students take some responsibility for maintaining their portfolios, the competency of reflective critical thinking can also be assessed by means of portfolios.
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Nitrous oxide (N2O) has become a routine intervention in contemporary American dental practice, especially in the management of children. However, routines translate to confidence which in turn may lead to overconfidence, such that possible risks and misuses are insufficiently acknowledged. This article ethically evaluates the use of nitrous oxide as a practice routine in treating children. ⋯ Finally, the importance of respecting patient autonomy is discussed, specifically the need to obtain explicit consent for N2O. The article supports the continued use of nitrous oxide but advises greater attention to how and why it is administered. Four recommendations are offered for an ethically sound usage.
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African-American dental students at the University of Michigan are engaged in identifying, guiding, and preparing promising predental students for a career in dentistry. Collaborating with the Student National Dental Association (SNDA), the Predental Association at the school, and with the help of faculty members and the administration, students have developed an Impressions Day and participate in a Research Day, a golf outing, an Elementary School Outreach program, a Dental Initiatives activity, the Scholars Program for Dental Leadership, and participation in the school's Mentor Program. All of these activities engage current students in helping those at various stages in the predental education pipeline learn about, evaluate their potential for, and prepare for careers in dentistry.