Student at whitecoat ceremony happy with support from her dentist mentors.

Diversity in Dentistry

We D.I.D It... So Can You!

Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc. brings future dental students and dental professionals into one community to share information, offer guidance, and provide encouragement.

Dentist mentor with student at youth summit
Student working at dental lab at youth summit
Student looks up to dental student mentor at youth summit dental lab

We aim to reach our youth early to learn how rewarding a career in dentistry is and that it can be an attainable goal. Working with our mentors throughout their educational journey will increase the dental school applicant pool of diverse, strong candidates.

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Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides school-aged children and undergraduate students from under-resourced communities with access to mentors and innovative educational opportunities that open pathways to careers in oral health. We strive to build a balanced dental workforce that enhances cultural competence and reduces oral health disparities.

Racial diversity among dentists does not mirror that of the U.S. population.

Studies have shown a lack of diversity in medicine leads to poor cultural competency amongst health care providers. Lack of cultural competence leads to ineffective communication, bias, and ultimately results in inequity in the delivery of healthcare including oral health to minorities that ultimately leads to poor health outcomes.

Left photo: dental mentee students sit in a classroom with dental learning equipment in front of them. Right photo: A dental mentee student wearing gloves and a mask is focused on the mould of teeth in their hands.

Our Mission

We aim to reach our youth early to learn how rewarding and attainable a career in dentistry can be.

Increasing the diversity in dentistry will positively impact both the lives of the dentists and the communities they serve, improving health outcomes for everyone.

Testimonials

Pre-Dental Student Scholarship Recipient

Pre-Dental Student Scholarship Recipient

"I am deeply appreciative of this scholarship, which not only supports my education but also serves as a powerful reminder of the opportunities that come with hard work and dedication. Thanks to DIDM, I am one step closer to my dream of becoming a dentist and contributing to community health!"

-Jennifer Herandez-Ramos

Dental Student Scholarship Recipient

Dental Student Scholarship Recipient

"I feel very humble and grateful for this scholarship. I am hopefully planning on using the scholarship to make it to this year’s annual SNDA conference to build more connections!"

- Kofi Tutu

Pre-Dental Student Scholarship Recipient

Pre-Dental Student Scholarship Recipient

“I am forever grateful that Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships selected me for the Execudent Pre-Dental scholarship. I am applying for dental school this cycle and it covers majority of my application fees which is extremely helpful."

- Leah Bennett

Diversify Dentistry Youth Summit at UMKC

Diversify Dentistry Youth Summit at UMKC

“A huge thank you to Joyce, Juli, Richie and others for coordinating this event and for increasing access and exposure to the field of dentistry for KCPS youth.”

-Dr. Derald Davis, Ed.D.

Deputy Superintendent & Chief Equity Officer, Kansas City Public Schools

Diversify Dentistry Youth Summit at UMKC

Diversify Dentistry Youth Summit at UMKC

“It was the students favorite field trip ever according to my busload of students and better than any amusement park. One resounding opinion was that you had so many staff and students who looked like our students and representation can't be beat.”

-Joyce Nguyen Hernandez

Manager of College Access and Success, Department of Equity, Inclusion and Innovation, Kansas City Public Schools

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A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION

All sponsorship and affiliate revenues directly fund the development of programs and resources for our mentors and mentees.

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HELPING BUILD A DIVERSE DENTAL WORKFORCE

Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc. brings future dental students and professionals into one community to share information, offer guidance, and provide encouragement.

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 CREATED FOR DIVERSE DENTAL STUDENTS BY DIVERSE DENTISTS

Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc. was created by dentists from historically underrepresented groups to address the lack of diversity among dental providers.