Hispanic Center of Excellence - Dentistry
Program Goals

1. Cooperation with other University entities in developing programs to maintain a more ethnically diverse and competitive dental student applicant pool. Aims in this regard are achieved by:
   • assisting the Dental School Office of Student Affairs in disseminating information to Texas colleges and universities for Hispanic pre-dental students.
   • sponsoring qualified pre-dental students for participation in the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

   

2. Participation in joint efforts with the Dental School Office of Academic Affairs in presenting incoming students with pre-entry courses designed to better equip them to adjust to the dental school environment and help them develop aptitudes and sensory skills needed for providing dental treatment procedures.

3. Provision of tutoring for current dental students, in collaboration with the Dental School Office of Student Affairs

4. Participation in joint effforts with the Dental School Office of Research in encouraging dental students to explore possibilities for participation in dental research activities before and after graduation by:
   • calling attention to the need for increasing the number of Hispanic dentists participating in dental research activities and
   • continuation of programs that offer qualified students opportunities to participate in oral health-related research efforts under the guidance of faculty mentors.

5. Development of more effective methods for recruiting and training Hispanic faculty by:
   • maintaining close liaison with the Hispanic Dental Association and the local dental societies to keep these groups informed of faculty openings at the dental school
   • developing continuing education programs designed to improve teaching and research skills of Hispanic faculty to better prepare them for promotion and tenure in conjunction with UTHSCSA Academic Informatics Services.
   • cooperation with the UTHSCSA Briscoe Library in identifying and procuring up-to-date information on oral health and special conditions that may affect Hispanics.

6. Participation with the Dental School Office of External Affairs in efforts to acquaint students with oral health needs of Hispanics by providing them with opportunities to participate in clinical and preventive dentistry programs ongoing in rural and urban Hispanic communities.