Connecticut's Enrichment Program Makes a Big Impression

Every year the Pipeline Health Professions Summer Academic Institute (PHPSAI) at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine takes ‘unevenly prepared’ students, many with multiple barriers to competitive applications, and provides an intense six-week academic enrichment program. The program includes a review of the basic sciences, DAT, clinical workshops, shadowing, and a lecture series on current issues in dentistry. 

Visits to local community health centers are a major component of the PHPSAI.  This year, PHPSAI students spent a full day at two of the six sites where fourth-year dental students have their community-based dental education experiences providing oral health services to underserved populations.

 “This was my first time at a community health center,” said Jasmine McCaulley.  “I’ve already decided this is where I want to work after I finish dental school.  Everyone here is so nice and they really care about the community people they serve,” she added.

Jasmine is one of five students in this summer’s enrichment program.  Eleven of twelve (92%) previous summer PHPSAI students have matriculated at dental schools across the country, which shows the important influence that the summer program has on students. 

Photo: L-R: Jasmine McCaulley, LaMonica Davis, Aundrea Vereen, Elliott Tolbert, Dr. Hodge, and Kevon Rennie at Charter Oak Health Center in Hartford, Connecticut.

This year’s students will apply to various dental schools this summer and all expect to be accepted for Fall 2007 admissions. Their application efforts are aided by the program’s workshops, in particular, those lead by Dr. Edward Thibodeau, Dean of Admissions, co-author of “A Comprehensive Study Guide for the Dental Admission Test.” This manual, used in the summer enrichment program, has proven effective in increasing Dental Admission Test scores of the summer pre-dental students.  

 “This was an outstanding group,” said Dr. Hodge, program Director.  “A key component of the program is teamwork.  Students are encouraged to share information so that the entire group is equally successful.”  She continues, “I’m very proud of the progress they made during the summer.  They all demonstrated significant improvement in DAT scores.  If the final Kaplan examination scores are an indication of future success, these students are all winners!”

For more information on the PHPSAI at University of Connecticut School of Dentistry, contact Dr. Hodge, Director, RWJF Pipeline Program at hodge@uchc.edu.