Dental Schools Potentially Shutting Out Poor Students
Dental schools are seemingly making it impossible for low income students to be admitted according to a study brought to light by Alan Milburn, the ex health secretary for the Labour party.
A current health minister was the catalyst for the results being published. They demanded a ‘progress report’ that was focused on the notion of dental schools stretching the scope of those they accepted.
The results of the study showed that the proportion of applicants from private schools had remained steady at around the 23% mark for a number of years.
However the middle class and lower income families had only a 7% of medical and dentistry students. This is lower than the figure last previously recorded which stood at a mere 8%.
Whilst these figures have prompted calls for dental schools to stop the perceived exclusion, the Dental Schools Council has reacted by stating that efforts are underway already to change the situation.
They state that there is the use of ‘contextual data’ which allow those of an academically lower caliber to join, if they demonstrate a number of extenuating circumstances.
These include consideration for those who are; poor with potential, from broken homes, live in economically underprivileged areas or could complete an adversity questionnaire.
Time will tell if these efforts are enough to give those at a disadvantage now a more fair chance at a professional medical career.
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