Dentistry: A Promising Career for Minorities

One of every four inhabitants in the United States is part of a minority group, and this number will grow significantly in the coming years. This demographic reality is a testimony of the cultural, ethnic, and historical legacy of minorities as hallmark of the American identity. Diversity is a reality in this country, now and for the predictable future.

Still, minorities face social, economic, cultural, and frequently language and communication barriers in their quest for quality healthcare. As a result, many of their oral health needs are not properly met.

At Temple, we see this reality both as a challenge and an opportunity.

Highly trained minority dentists can more easily break through the barriers and provide minority populations with oral health care that meets their needs. At the same time, since the number of practicing minority dentists does not begin to reflect the overall percentage of minorities in the population, there is a window of opportunity for those belonging to minorities interested in a career in dentistry.

Minority dentists face a bright future as they satisfy growing dental services needs of a clear main market population.

The Temple Advantage

Diversity at The Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry is a reality: According to the American Dental Association, The Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry's Hispanic enrollment for 2001-2002 was the fourth highest among 56 US schools of dentistry; African-American and Native-American enrollments were both the tenth highest in the country. At Temple , diversity is welcome. It is encouraged. It is one of our strengths.

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