Bright Smiles Mentoring Program
The Moving Forward Committee has developed a mentorship program partnering with local
high school students in the Memphis area. This program was created to increase the
number of diverse students enrolled in the dental and dental hygiene programs at UTHSC.
Mission
The mission of the Bright Smiles program is to meet the dental care needs in the Memphis
area minority communities by increasing the number of diverse students in the field
of dentistry and dental hygiene at UTHSC.
Through consistent mentoring from UTHSC dentistry students and exposure to UTHSC,
minority middle and high school students can make an informed decision to attend UTHSC
for dental or dental hygiene school. By increasing the number of diverse dental and
dental hygiene graduates at UTHSC, the lack of access to quality dental care decreases
as a result of these graduates meeting the dental needs in minority communities.
The Mentors
Current dental and dental hygiene students will mentor local minority middle and high
school students who have expressed an interest in a career in dentistry. We believe
when minority students see professionals who look like them, they view the career
as attainable.
Dentistry students will present monthly forums on topics that will include college
preparation, importance of discipline, dental careers, and test prep. There are also
opportunities for Eleventh and Twelfth grade mentees to participate in an on-campus
tour and hands on lab exercise.
Participating as a Mentee
Students interested in becoming a mentee should contact Felisa Jackson at fjackso3@uthsc.edu
