The Outcomes of an Innovative Hybrid Pre-dental Admission Enhancement Program among Underrepresented Minority and Disadvantaged Students

This study examined the outcomes of a hybrid pre-dental admission enhancement program (AEP) with regard to the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) scores, admission rates, and satisfaction among underrepresented and/or disadvantaged students at the University of Missouri, School of Dentistry (UMKC SOD). Additionally, data from 48 students who completed the AEP from years 2011-2014 were evaluated regarding their experience participating in the AEP. The program’s unique hybrid design provided both a residential and online experience. The onsite experience exposed students to critical skills training encompassing time management, essay writing, learning styles, study skills, test taking skills, test anxiety, reading skills, and mentoring with the dental school application process. Students were able to prepare a rough draft of the dental school application essay and receive faculty feedback. This enabled students to have a well-written essay for their application. Additionally, AEP students participated in hands-on lab exercises and shadowed dental students providing patient care in the clinic. Technology allowed students to access the academic content of the AEP including Math, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biology, 24/7 in an asynchronous format. Students were also mentored by supplemental instructors (SI) from the International Center for Supplemental Instruction (ICSI) three times per week in live synchronous sessions through Blackboard Collaborate™ support. Students were asked to complete a program evaluation, which posed questions in a 5-point Likert scale format ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree, has yes/no questions and allows for student comments. Frequency statistics, Pearson correlations and a Regression Model were used for statistical analysis of the data. All tests were conducted at p < 0.05 or less with a group of 48 students. Students admitted to dental school are continually monitored throughout their dental education until graduation.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education (UMKC)

Grantor

University of Missouri--Kansas City

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Carter-Hanson, Carrie L.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Butner, Bonita K., 1950-

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10355/45578

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/45578