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Texas A&M College of Dentistry

Domains: Pathways, Admissions & Graduation

Building Bridges: How Texas A&M Dental is Transforming Access to Dental Education

Texas’s underserved communities face persistent gaps in access to dental care, a challenge that demands cultivating professionals who will serve these specific populations. As Dr. Ernie Lacy, executive director of the Office of Student Development and Multicultural Affairs, explains: “We target students who are from dentally underserved groups, populations and areas,” because “the literature shows that these are the people who will more than likely practice among these populations and in these areas.” This evidence-based understanding drives Texas A&M College of Dentistry’s comprehensive strategy to transform dental education access.

Texas A&M College of Dentistry’s Bridge to Dentistry program demonstrates a transformative approach to increasing diversity in dental education. While underrepresented minorities (URM) comprised just 8% of the 1994 graduating class, 2023 incoming classes are 33-38% URM students, marking the highest minority enrollment among non-minority serving institutions since 2007.

The program’s comprehensive pipeline begins with early childhood education through Project Dental Awareness, which has reached over 68,000 elementary school children since 2000. Grade-specific activities, from “Brushing Our Teeth” for first graders to “Seal a Way” for third graders, alongside the Future Dentist Club for older students, create continuous engagement through hands-on experiences and interactions with dental students.

Building on this foundation, the Summer Pre-Dental Enrichment Programs have introduced nearly 1,500 high school and college students to the profession since 1997. The pipeline culminates in a Post-Baccalaureate Program that has successfully guided 123 students into dental school since 2002, featuring a rigorous year-long curriculum focused on Dental Admission Test preparation and advanced science courses.

Funded by a Center of Excellence Grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the program maintains over 90% retention  and graduation rates for underrepresented minority students. This comprehensive approach is crucial for Texas’s future, as dentists from underserved communities are most likely to return and provide care in these areas, directly addressing the state’s health care access disparities.

“I graduated high school with my dental assisting license. If it wasn’t for summer programs at the dental school, I would probably be a dental assistant. The programs made me realize there were so many things out there as far as dentistry is concerned. Being in the program, they kind of instill the principle of giving back. I feel obligated to do something to make a difference.”

Aja Walker

Publications

Lacy, E.S., McCann, A.L., Miller, B.H., Solomon, E. and Reuben, J.S. (2012). Achieving Student Diversity in Dental Schools: A Model That Works. Journal of Dental Education, 76: 523-533. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2012.76.5.tb05285.x 

Case study developed by Sadiyah Anderson.

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