Urban Health Program

UIC College of Dentistry Urban Health Program

diversity collage of students smiling and working together

Expanding opportunities for traditionally underrepresented students

The mission of the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry’s Urban Health Program is to recruit, retain, and graduate underrepresented students, in the oral health sciences, and to expand educational opportunities for these populations at the pre-college (K-12), undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.

We are committed to:

Partnering with the University’s Urban Health Program and other educational institutions and organizations to establish and maintain pathway for admissions of traditionally underrepresented student groups into UIC’s health colleges and degree programs.
Providing avenues for early exposure to the dental profession for students from traditionally underrepresented groups.
Providing academic enrichment opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from underrepresented populations who are interested in or pursuing degrees in the Oral Health Sciences.
Supporting and participating in community health initiatives and programs, particularly those that are concerned with addressing oral health disparities and community health.
Actively recruiting African American, Latino, and Native American undergraduate students throughout Illinois, and encouraging them to apply to dental school.
Conducting ongoing research related to underrepresented dental student experiences and outcomes, particularly for those students in the pathway programs at the University of Illinois campuses.
Encouraging urban health experiences for all students interested in and committed to practicing in dental underserved urban areas, especially in Illinois.

Urban Health Programs

The College of Dentistry Urban Health Programs are focused on providing programming, resources and support for underrepresented students, which gives them early exposure to the dental profession.

The Urban Health Programs include:

UIC College of Dentistry UHP Dental Camp
UIC College of Dentistry UHP Annual Open House
UIC College of Dentistry UHP Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
UIC College of Dentistry UHP Summer Pre-Matriculation Program (SPP)

Description of Urban Health Programs

UIC College of Dentistry UHP Dental Camp

This weeklong program is for Chicago area High School students from groups underrepresented in the field of Dentistry ranging from grades 9 through 12. The week-long experiential program will consist of lectures, laboratory activities, clinical observation and mentoring. The goal of the camp is to expose science-minded students to various dental and scientific principles and technological applications in the field of dentistry. Ultimately, we would like to expand the students’ understanding of procedures dentists perform and increase their awareness of the profession in order to plant a seed of interest in becoming dentists. The goal of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented students entering the dental profession.

UIC College of Dentistry UHP Open House

The admissions staff in collaboration with the Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA) and the Student National Dental Association (SNDA) organize an annual UHP open house in the month of October. The event offers an opportunity for Underrepresented Pre- Dental students to get a tour of the college, obtain admissions information and have current D1s-D4s answer questions that prospective students may have about the application process and about UIC’s dental curriculum.

UIC College of Dentistry UHP Post-Baccalaureate Program

The Post-Baccalaureate Program is a collaborative effort between the College of Dentistry and the College of Medicine and provides an opportunity for an invited group of students who have applied for admission to the College of Dentistry to participate in a yearlong structured rigorous academic experience. In order to be considered for the program, students must apply directly to the College of Dentistry as a traditional dental school applicant, including submitting a complete AADSAS application, letters of recommendation, a Dental Admissions Test score, and the dental school interview. The College of Dentistry Admissions committee reviews applications and considers applicants for the program. Students accepted receive a one- year deferred acceptance to dental school. A space is held in the D1 class for the following year, upon successful completion of the post-baccalaureate program.

The Post-Baccalaureate Program is structured into three (3) tiers: Tier I—Fall Semester, Tier II— Spring Semester, Tier III— Summer Pre-Matriculation Program (SPP). The goal of the program is to build on the student’s biomedical science foundation through their immersion in basic and advanced medical science course work. Students enroll in graduate, medical or other academically relevant courses such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Neuroanatomy and Physiology. Through the program, students receive a comprehensive assessment of their existing learning approaches and build academic success strategies to ensure success in coursework. Post-Baccalaureate students enter the College of Dentistry with improved self-confidence and biomedical science knowledge that is essential to be master scholars and leaders in Dental school and beyond.

Student Testimonials

My name is Daniel Morales and I am a fourth year dental student.

“… The first few months of the program, I had a tough time trying to figure out how to study the material. After completing the program, I transformed my poor study habits from undergrad and exceled in the advanced science courses offered by the program. I am very grateful for this exposure since dental school is even more rigorous, but I can manage my time more effectively and know exactly how to study because of this experience…”

My name is Sydney Patterson and I am a fourth year dental student.

“…I have been welcomed into a warm, supportive community that advocates for my success in dentistry. It is a space that I feel safe to come to when I am struggling academically but a community that I am also excited to share my accomplishments with. I am truly appreciative for the program and I hope to be able to provide the same support that I was given to future pre-dental students…”