IADR Abstract Archives

The Dental Hygiene Pipeline: From High School to the Profession

PURPOSE: This pilot program “Dental Hygiene Pipeline” was developed as a recruitment strategy to enhance the interest of High School (HS) students to the Dental Hygiene profession and increase enrollment in the Dental Hygiene Programs at New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD).

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the “Dental Hygiene Pipeline” are to expose HS students to the profession; increase the number of dental hygienists in New York City (NYC); to promote the “shadowing program” which enables HS students to work closely with a student at NYUCD. The significance of this program is to create mentorship and the career interest of HS students based on a pipeline between HS level dental careers programs and NYUCD.

METHODS: In a retrospective study of admissions applications the preliminary results demonstrated an increased number of applicants from Tottenville High School (THS) compared to other NYC High Schools. In the academic year 2004-2005 the Dental Hygiene Pipeline model was piloted and a collaboration was established between the two schools. The collaboration activities include presentations and symposiums given to the THS faculty and students as well as an overview of the curriculum, admissions requirements, and financial opportunities. The shadowing program is used to enhance the exposure of the HS students to the profession by pairing a NYUCD student with a HS student during selected didactic and clinical sessions.

RESULTS: The pilot program survey results indicated a positive correlation between applicants to NYUCD Dental Hygiene Programs and THS. In addition, effectiveness is evaluated based on how many students apply to Dental Hygiene Programs.

CONCLUSION: The Pipeline model has enhanced the interest of the HS administration and students as a mechanism to develop additional collaborative programs. This model will be extended to other high schools in the NYC area.


AADR/CADR Annual Meeting
2006 AADR/CADR Annual Meeting (Orlando, Florida)
Orlando, Florida
2006
523
ADEA
  • Stefanou, Lisa  ( New York University, New York, NY, USA )
  • Barrow, Su-yan  ( New York University, New York, NY, USA )
  • Greco, Nicole  ( New York University, New York, NY, USA )
  • Westphal, Cheryl  ( New York University, New York, NY, USA )
  • Solomon, Daniel  ( Tottenville High School, New York, NY, USA )
    • Poster Session
    Works in Progress
    03/09/2006