| The purpose of this website is not to exclude peoples of other races, but to encourage African Americans to study dentistry and provide other pertinent data |
| Welcome to BLACK DENTAL EDGE: The African American Dental Resource Site |
| Freedom For All |
| Work Smarter Everyday |
Click on the emblem to learn it's history.
| The links to the right are courtesy of Dr. Jeffrey Dorfman D.M.D. and provide detailed photos and explanations for the indicated specialties. For photos of other dental services, please visit www.drdorfman.com |
| Detailed information about Head and Neck Cancer Surgery can be found at the website of Dr. C Rayappa FRCS., DLO. www.headneckskullbase.com This is an excellent source of information explaining the various composite techniques used to treat oral cancer as implemented by clinicians worldwide. I am very grateful to Dr. Rayappa for all his kindness in allowing this link to the website. |
| The Dental Pipeline: This is an organization dedicated to increasing the accessibility of heatlh care to the underpriviledged. The mission of this unique organization is drastically needed due to the fact that many children in lower socio-economic groups still lack adequate dental care. Additional information can be obtained about the organization and its projects on their rich website. |
| Southern University Pre-Health Help Site: This website provides additional information and tips on how to achieve success in the health professions; superbly codifies the often intimidating track of becoming a successful clinician. |
| Mathematicians of the African Diaspora: This is a fantastic website of an opt overlooked segment of the population, the African-American Research Scientist. Dr. Scott W. Williams, Professor of Mathematics at SUNY at Buffalo, has comprised a spiraling source of science information that highlights people who continue to push the boundaries of physical science, and also serves as an inspiration to others who aim to master those same principles. |
| Minority Scientists and Physicians Achieving Success (MSAPAS): This site is dedicated to minority PhD and MD candidates inviting members to discuss related issues using a forum format. It is well-worth it to take a look at the valuable information on this webpage. It is a blessing to have the MSAPAS webpage linked to my own. |
| Tips on Financing a Dental Education: I. Besides taking out student loans, there are a few additional ways of paying for dental school. The Public Health Service recruits, trains, and places dentists in the National Health Service Corps, the US Coast Guard, the Indian Health Service, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. . II. The HPSP (Health Professions Scholarship Program) is a scholarship offered through the Army, Navy, and Air Force in which you are provided full tuition coverage and a monthly stipend in addition to summer military training. After dental school, you owe the respective branch a year of active service for every year of the scholarship. Usually it runs from 2-5 yrs depending on what year you applied and when the money actually comes down. The scholarships are competitive. The number of recruiters who specialize in the HPSP program are limited so it is highly advisable to begin early as it may take a few weeks for a recruiter to get back with you. A. An Army Dental HPSP (pdf) will provide an overview to the benefits and conditions of the scholarship while the HPSP Handbook will go into more detail. These documents require Adobe Reader which can be downloaded freely at Adobe Systems Inc. B.There is also a complete list of Navy Dental Programs click here for the doc(Microsoft Word). C.Also, a description of the Air Force Dental HPSP (pdf) is available. III. Yet another option, is the aforementioned National Health Service Corps(NHSC). This organization offers a scholarship for the third and fourth years of dental school and a monthly stipend also(note: availability and options change with need so it will be advisable to periodically check with the service for the most current information). As with the armed forces, the scholarship recipient must repay every year of scholarship aid in service with the agency which seeks to improve the medical and dental health of those less fortunate. After completing dental school, much like the armed forces, placement will be based on need which can be an Indian Reservation (note: employment with Indian Health Service currently exists in 33 states making this option most viable for those who are already in dental school) or Federal Prison. More information is available from this Bulletin which is also a pdf document. Loan Repayment Programs: These programs pay health care professionals funds in addition to salary in exchange for work in designated need areas. The NHSC LRP (pdf) is such a program and there are other state and federal organizations as well. The USDA, Rural Information Center, National Agriculture Library, 10301 Baltimore., Ave, Room 304, Beltsville, MD 20705-2351 Tel: 1-800-633-7701. email: ric@nal.usda.gov. The Dental Resource page lists many links to rural dental health organizations and publications, which could be good starting points for financial aid information. |
| Southern Rural Access Program: a consortium primarilly designed to improve basic healthcare to eight of the nation's most rural medically underserved states. These states are AL, AK, GA, LA, MS, SC, WV, and East Texas. This program is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. |
| Special Note to Texas Residents: The state of Texas encourages and supplies its residents with its own application service to medical, dental, and veterinary schools, each requiring the MCAT, DAT, and GRE respectively. Texas, and most if not all states, gives strong preference to in state applicants so it would be self-defeating not to use The Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service since it allows one application form to all medical, dental, and veterinary schools in the state. Be advised that some schools may also require secondary applications and materials so it is wise to check with each school for individual requirements. However, the Texas system allows for each student to apply to several schools using a standard format, which is a great advantage for a student who is applying to state professional schools. |
| The National Dental Association has existed some ninety years and provides a valuable network to finding minority dentists including a host of other information ranging from scholarships, yearly meetings among minority dental professionals, and auxillary and local chapters of the NDA. There is also a Student National Dental Association created by Meharry students in 1970. |
!-- begin geo counter -->
Webmaster: Joseph Grant III
Urban Pre-Dent Club: This club helps foster interest and start careers of minority dentists. The group is
comprised of a diverse group of people with one common goal in mind. It is well-worth the visit to the
webpage.
comprised of a diverse group of people with one common goal in mind. It is well-worth the visit to the
webpage.
