The UNMC College of Dentistry works to improve access to quality dental care for rural Nebraskans.
Developing the Dental and Dental Hygiene Workforce
The college educates the majority of rural Nebraska dentists. Approximately 66% of Nebraska dentists are UNMC graduates, and 81% of rural dentists are UNMC graduates. The college was nationally recognized in 2017 among all U.S. dental schools for having the highest percentage of graduates (33%) who returned to their rural communities.
The college participates in the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) and the Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP). These pipeline programs are designed to recruit students from rural Nebraska who are committed to returning to rural areas to practice dentistry. Students receive full-tuition scholarships at their undergraduate institutions, and upon satisfactory completion of their undergraduate program, they gain acceptance into the UNMC College of Dentistry.
Additionally, the Western Division Dental Hygiene Program in Gering was established in 2003 to recruit, educate and retain dental hygienists in rural Nebraska. Over 80% of recent graduates have remained in rural communities to begin their careers.
Providing Dental Services in Rural Nebraska
The Western Division Dental Hygiene Program in Gering increases access to dental care for those in western Nebraska, with dental hygiene students providing care at the Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska.
New initiatives are being developed to further increase access to dental care for rural Nebraskans. The college was awarded a $4 million, 10-year contract from the State of Nebraska Oral Health Training and Services Fund in 2016 to expand oral health services for citizens across the state.
Offering Hands-On Student Learning Experiences in Rural Areas
Dental and dental hygiene students participate in extramural rotations, where they have the opportunity to visit practices in rural Nebraska to provide dental care and learn about practice management.
Students also have the opportunity to participate in outreach programs in rural communities, including the Sealant Program, which provides preventive dental care to underserved children, and Western Nebraska Children’s Dental Day, where underserved children receive free dental care at sites in Sidney and Gordon.
Implementing a Tuition Rebate Program for Dental Students
The college created a tuition rebate program in 2021 to reimburse 50% of tuition expenses for one or two eligible dental students who agree to practice dentistry in a dental shortage area in Nebraska for five years. This program is funded by a $4 million, 10-year contract from the State of Nebraska Oral Health Training and Services Fund.