By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Nicole Griffin
TUSCALOOSA, – The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences has welcomed four aspiring dentist students to rural Alabama communities. These students have been accepted into the inaugural class of the Rural Dental Schoars Program.
The four students include Catherine Hill who is from Grant, Landon McCardle from Dothan, Joshua Perry from Guntersville and Aubrey Stewart who is also from Dothan.
The program is specifically for students who are from rural Alabama and is a new program that is separate from the normal admissions pathway at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry.
There are certain requirements you must meet to be considered for this program. Must have lived eight years in rural Alabama or graduated from a rural Alabama high school. One year of study and a master’s degree in rural community health at CCHS (College of Community Health Sciences) is included in the program, as well as early admission to the UAB School of Dentistry.
Throughout the year of study, students will take biomedical science courses that will properly prepare them for the difficult journey through dental school. They will also have the opportunity to participate in workshops related to rural health, community engagement experiences and shadow dental providers. Once they have completed their master’s, their next step is to complete their four years at the UAB School of Dentistry.
This program is modeled after the College of Community Health Sciences’ Rural Medical Scholars Program.
