Dr. Allen: Supporting Dental Students’ Success

By Dr. Roosevelt Allen

Supporting dental students — and all students — in reaching their full potential has many benefits. Studies have shown that those earning a bachelor’s degree or higher have greater earning possibilities, are more civically minded and inspire youth — all things that contribute to economic growth and stronger communities. And what dental students are learning, in particular, will impact more than just a person’s smile; it will improve the oral and overall health of the patients and communities they serve.

According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, more than 7,100 areas in the United States are facing a shortage of dental professionals, impacting nearly 60 million Americans. That’s not encouraging news considering that oral health can greatly affect overall health. Research has helped us gain a better understanding of the crucial role dental wellness can play in improving well-being. Studies have found that many systemic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, can be detected through oral health conditions. And harmful bacteria from certain oral diseases, like gum disease, can travel throughout the body and weaken its immune response.

What’s more, untreated dental disease can result in pain and infections that may lead to issues in other areas of a person’s life, including eating, speaking and employment. It can cause missed time from work and school, as well as costly emergency room visits that are better suited for treatment in a dental setting.

But access to preventive dental care and resources isn’t the same for everyone. Some racial and ethnic groups experience higher rates of poor oral health and disease due to social, economic and environmental barriers, including things like food insecurity, lack of dental insurance and transportation issues. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that untreated cavities were twice as high for Black American adults (40 percent) as white adults (21 percent).

Similarly, not all students have the same support, opportunities or finances to be able to pursue their dreams. And that’s where businesses, industries and communities can make achieving one’s educational goals a little easier for students in need through scholarship funds. In 2021, United Concordia Dental awarded Howard University College of Dentistry a five-year, $500,000 scholarship grant with the goal of expanding access to critical dental services. The college is dedicated to providing patient-centered care, with a focus on reducing health disparities within disadvantaged populations and improving the quality of oral health.

As chief dental officer at United Concordia, I recently had an opportunity to visit some of the aspiring dentists at Howard University who have received funds from our grant to better understand its impact. During my visit, I heard so many incredible stories about what inspired them to pursue dentistry, how receiving our financial support impacted them and what their career aspirations are after graduation.

We talked about struggles and triumphs, as well as personal interests and career paths. One student’s desire to better understand a diabetes diagnosis turned into a passion for dentistry. Another was taking care of several siblings while in school, with the goal of one day being able to offer health care to communities in financial need. Several felt that receiving the scholarship served as motivation to keep pushing forward and striving for excellence, as well as instilled a desire to give back.

It reminded me of my own days in dental college many years ago — the heart, the sacrifice, the discipline and the challenges. What led me to dentistry was how it combined three things I loved — the arts, sciences and service. I was fortunate because I had the support of my parents, who made learning a priority and believed that the knowledge you gained would always stay with you, no matter what life sent your way. I’ve carried that throughout my education — from pursuing a bachelor of arts and a doctor of dental surgery to a master’s degree obtained later in life. And now I’m at a point in my career where I can pay it forward to the next generation.

If more money was invested in scholarship grants to support dental students —especially those attending schools like Howard University — it would enable a greater number of future dentists to reach their dreams while increasing access to care. I hope more organizations will join United Concordia in investing in the future of dentistry. Doing so will create healthier futures for all.