S.M.I.L.E. Healthcare Pathway Program Announces Industry Partners

The S.M.I.L.E. (Student Mentoring with Immersive Learning and Enrichment) Healthcare Pathway Program from Henry Schein, the National Dental Association, and the Schattner Foundation, have announced a collection of new dental industry partners. These strategic partnerships have been made to recognize and recruit students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, according to a press release from Henry Schein.

New partners are as follows: the Hispanic Dental Association; the Society of American Indian Dentists; Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry; A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health; and A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health.

The S.M.I.L.E. Program provides a variety of support systems for 9- and 10-grade students interested in the dental profession. Systems include mentorship programs, hands-on learning workshops, networking opportunities, and a capstone project where students will present learnings at the end of the program.

“The Hispanic Dental Association is excited to collaborate in this effort to help increase access to and awareness of careers in dentistry and healthcare,” Hispanic Dental Association Past President and Interim Executive Director Christina Meiners, DDS, FICD, said in the press release. “We understand the power a diverse healthcare provider has on improving the health of our communities and the influence a program like this has on creating opportunities for our youth. With this partnership we hope to create a network of support for students who want to learn more about this amazing profession.”

To learn more about the S.M.I.L.E. Healthcare Pathway Program, visit the website here.