NJ state want dental recruits from diverse communities
The two major New Jersey organizations are encouraging youngsters from diverse communities to become dentists.
The New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) and the Department of Health and Senior Services (DoH) are teaming up to call on students from ethnic minority groups to pursue a career in oral health.
Health Commissioner Heather Howard said that the DoH had decided to make the plea because the state’s minority populations were growing and that this needed to be reflected in the health care workforce.
The organizations have suggested that patients are more likely to pay a more active role in their health care when the person treating them has the same racial background.
In 2000 an American Dental Association found that black dentists said that 61.8 per cent of their patients were black; 45.5 per cent of Hispanic dentists’ patients were reportedly Hispanic; and 76.6 per cent of white dentists’ clients were white.
The state and the NDJA have collaborated to create a kit that will encourage high school students to become oral health professionals.
Oral health professionals will be visiting schools to talk to pupils and work with guidance councillors and student advisors to persuade student to get involved.
Jeff Van Drew, New Jersey state senator, is supporting the program and said there was a need for dentists, hygienists and assistants.
Dr Steven Fink, president of the NJDA said that the sky was the limit for the students that have the determination to excel.
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