About "Shaping Smiles, Shaping Futures" Dental Career Exploration.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Diverse Dental Professionals

At Black Dental Students & Pre-Dents, we are dedicated to creating opportunities and a sense of belonging for minority students interested in dentistry. The "Shaping Smiles, Shaping Futures" Dental Career Exploration Event was born from a vision of increasing diversity within the dental profession, where African American and Hispanic representation remains significantly low.

Why We Started This Outreach:

Black Dental Students & Pre-Dents wanted to give underrepresented students the opportunity to explore dentistry in an environment that supports and encourages them. Currently, less than 4% of dentists are African American, and around 6% are Hispanic. This staggering underrepresentation highlights the need to expose minority students to dental career opportunities and spark their interest in the profession early on.

By providing students in grades 6-12 with hands-on experiences, mentorship, and the chance to meet dental professionals who look like them, we hope to inspire the next generation of dentists, hygienists, and dental scientists. Representation matters, and by showcasing successful minority professionals, we aim to show students that they belong in this field and can thrive in it.

Our Mission:

The mission of this event is to foster an explorative interest in dentistry while cultivating a sense of confidence and belonging among underrepresented students. We aim to provide access, guidance, and encouragement to students who might not otherwise consider dentistry as a viable career path.

Why This Event Matters:

• Increasing Representation: The lack of minority representation in dentistry means many students never envision themselves as part of the profession. By meeting dental professionals who share similar backgrounds, we create a sense of possibility and potential.

• Hands-on Experience: Participants get direct exposure to dental procedures and activities, helping to break down barriers of unfamiliarity and show that the field is accessible to them.

• Building Confidence: Seeing professionals who have walked a similar path can be life-changing. It reminds these students that they can overcome challenges and achieve great things in a profession they might have never considered.

• Long-Term Impact: By nurturing their interest now, we hope to increase the number of minority students entering dental schools and eventually increase the percentage of minority dentists in the nation. A diverse dental workforce leads to better care for diverse communities.

Join Us in Shaping Futures:

"Shaping Smiles, Shaping Futures" Dental Career Exploration Event isn’t just about introducing students to dentistry; it’s about creating a platform for connection, mentorship, and representation. It’s about showing these students that their dreams are valid, and that with the right support, they can shape not just smiles, but their futures, too.