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The Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation and Old Dominion University’s School of Dental Hygiene partnered for the third annual Dental Health Summer Institute (DHSI), which aims to grow and diversify Virginia’s dental health workforce by introducing high school students to oral health professions. This year, 35 students graduated from the program. The camp, which spans five half-days and is primarily virtual, includes one on-campus day where students gain hands-on experience, such as using dental materials and taking X-rays. By the end of the camp, students leave with a better understanding of dental health career pathways and the admissions process at ODU.
One of the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation’s loan repayment recipients, Dr. Tiffany Nightengale, from Eastern Shore Rural Health Systems (ESRHS) spoke with the students about delivering care in a school-based model and highlighted the work the ESRHS dental team has done to enhance services for people with special health care needs. Her presence provided a unique opportunity for students to learn about the possibilities of working within Virginia’s safety net to serve uninsured and Medicaid patients.
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