In response to the growing shortage of oral health professionals across the country, Planet Smilez is creating a pathway for future providers. They believe this shortage can be addressed by providing early exposure, hands-on learning, and mentorship to students from educationally and economically underserved areas.
By engaging and understanding dental careers at an early age for students from dental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs), Planet Smilez is filling a critical workforce gap and helping to improve access to care in underserved communities.
Our goal is to inspire the next generation of oral health professionals from dental HPSAs to pursue oral health careers and return to serve their communities. To address this challenge, Dr. Kathryn Pawlak and the Planet Smilez senior leadership team will host the Discover Dental Seminar (DDS).
Planet Smilez is honored to receive funding from Delta Dental as part of its ongoing commitment to advancing the future of the oral health workforce. Since 2023, Delta Dental has invested more than $1.7 million to support programs that develop integrated solutions, innovative pilots, and scalable models designed to inspire school-age children from all backgrounds and experiences to pursue careers in oral health. Planet Smilez is honored to be recognized as a 2024 award winner for its contributions to hosting 10 immersive workshops across the country.
Planet Smilez is pleased to announce the DDS workshop at Science Park High School in Newark, New Jersey. The immersive event is designed to spark interest in oral health and STEM, explore the connection between oral system health, showcase diverse dental careers, and provide students with a glimpse into the daily lives of oral health professionals.
The workshop is intended for middle and high school students and offers engaging hands-on activities, mentorship opportunities, and in-depth career exploration. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with dental professionals and oral health students, deepen their understanding of oral health, and explore the many rewarding career paths in dentistry. This inspiring event is generously supported by Delta Dental Institute.
“I believe that education and mentorship can change lives,” Pawlak said. “My goal with the DDS program is to equip children with oral health knowledge and hands-on dental experience. This will help them best prepare for their dental careers while also developing a generation of oral health professionals who can meet the needs of our communities in the future.”
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