Decision for Dentistry

Decision for dentistry is a three-phase program offered three times annually. During these times, fifteen students from high schools in New Jersey participate in a program designed to introduce high school students to career options in the dental profession.

The Objectives of Decision for Dentistry Program:

• Introduce high school students to the wide range of career options associated with the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.
• Offer high school students an informative hands-on experience at NJDS to shed light on the dental school experience.
• Assist high school students in understanding the requirements to enter dental school and what they must do presently to prepare to meet those requirements.
• Link high school student with a dental student and/or NJDS faculty to serve as a mentor/role model.

A Three-Phase Experience

Day 1 - Welcome and orientation to the Dental School, George Jenkins, DMD co-author of The Pact:Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream, describes his inspiring journey as a young man attending school in Newark who set his sights on becoming a dentist. Later, the group participates in a hands-on activity, taking dental impressions on manikins overseen by faculty and student mentors.

Day 2 - High school students return to the dental school for chair side clinical observations with their student mentors. During lunch, a panel of dental practitioners describes what attracted them to their various specialties.

Day 3 - Participating students and their parents and/or guidance counselors attend the NJDS admissions symposium, which provides a full spectrum of information about what is required to enter dental school, as well as an overview of the admissions process.

Please be advised that participation in the program does not imply or guarantee acceptance in the academic program of the New Jersey Dental School.

Program Dates for Academic Year 2008-2009
*The 2007-2008 program is now closed. We are now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 programs. If you are a Senior in High School you may attend our Symposium on April 23, 2009 please send contact information to Ms. Sandie Armand  @ armandsa@umdnj.edu.
Program 1:   Phase I: 10/15/08   Phase II: 02/04/09   Phase III: 04/23/09
Program 2:   Phase I: 10/29/08   Phase II: 03/11/09   Phase III: 04/23/09
Program 3:   Phase I: 11/12/08   Phase II: 04/01/09   Phase III: 04/23/09

Contact Persons:

Ms. Maritza Camacho
(973) 972-5064
Secretary I

Ms. Jeanette DeCastro
(973) 972-7816
Director of Student Advisement & Support Programs

Application Form

*You MUST HAVE Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or greater in order to view the application form,
which can be downloaded by clicking on the "Get Adobe Acrobat Reader" below.

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