Dentistry cover and dental Information about Dentist around the world Related Articles
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) – The WVU School of Dentistry has provided insight into how the students it produces are helping the people of West Virginia get the care they need.
Opportunities for internship experiences at the West Virginia University School of Dentistry have contributed to an increase in practitioners choosing to stay in the Mountain State after graduation.
Increasing graduates staying in West Virginia to practice is much needed as the state is experiencing a shortage of dentists. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Oral Health Program reported that there are 49 dentists per 100,000 people in West Virginia compared to the United States average of 61.
Oh god, that’s all. It is truly the cornerstone of health care in the state of West Virginia. We need to have our national rate as it’s pretty low in terms of retaining health care providers in the state and especially dental care providers, and so we need to improve. The people of West Virginia need that care, they need that dental care. They deserve that dental care and we are so excited that some of our best and brightest will be staying in this state.
Valerie Perrine, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Community Health and Communications
The main mission of the school can be divided into three parts:
- To improve oral health by transforming students into clinically excellent, service-oriented practitioners
- To provide exceptional patient care
- To discover solutions that reduce oral health disparities in the state.
State and federal governments are also offering monetary incentive programs to graduates who choose to practice in West Virginia.
