The dental attorneys at Nardone Limited routinely advise dentists and dental practice owners located across the state of Ohio.  We have worked with dental clients who operate their practices in the wealthy Ohio suburbs, as well as the more poverty-ridden and Appalachian areas.  Some of our dentists have offices in highly-populated communities, while some may operate the only dental practice in their town.  Through this experience, we have seen disparities in dental care access firsthand, and understand the unmet need for dental care in these underserved areas.  To help address this problem, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry is implementing a new program called Commitment to Access Resources and Education (CARE).

Commitment to Access Resources and Education (CARE) Program

     The CARE program is designed to increase access to oral health care in Ohio, especially those in Dental Professional Shortage Areas (DPSAs).  Appalachian counties in the eastern, southeastern and southern parts of Ohio are all federally designated dental professional shortage areas.  The idea behind the CARE program is to recruit dental students from the DPSAs and to help them improve access to dental care by getting them to practice in the areas after they graduate.

Application Process

     Candidates who are accepted into the CARE program must meet the following requirements, according to the College of Dentistry’s website:

• Be a current or former resident of a federally-designated Dental Professional Shortage Area (DPSA) in the State of Ohio

• Demonstrate a strong desire and commitment to practice dentistry in an underserved community in Ohio

• Have experience working or volunteering at a community-based program that supports a public need (e.g., food bank, health clinic, mission trip)

• Submit a “CARE Program Application” through the College of Dentistry

• Candidates must have a letter of reference submitted on their behalf from a leader in their local community, e.g., medical or other professional, member of the clergy, local politician

• Candidates must have a letter of support submitted on their behalf by a practicing dentist in one of Ohio’s federally-designated Dental Professional Shortage Areas (DPSAs)

A maximum of 10 qualified applicants will be admitted to the CARE program each year.

Responsibilities and Benefits

     Once accepted, the participants in the CARE program will have a number of responsibilities to uphold, in addition to their standard dental school curriculum.   Some of these responsibilities include:

• Ongoing involvement in a college-based oral health care initiative that supports the needs of Ohio’s underserved populations

• Assist in the selection of future Ohio State CARE program students and serve as peer mentors

• Serve as ambassadors for the College of Dentistry at Office of Admissions’ recruitment events

• Attend the College of Dentistry’s training opportunities related to leadership, ethical decision-making, and cultural diversity

Conclusion

     Although the CARE program is demanding, it absolutely has its rewards.  Participants who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.4, will be eligible for a scholarship of $10,000 per year.  This annual scholarship is offered with the goal of reducing debt upon graduation, which will in turn make it more possible to practice in these underserved communities where earning potential might not be as high.  The ultimate reward, however, will be the participants’ ability to return to their hometowns, or another area in which the oral health care needs of the community are underserved, and provide Ohioans with much-needed access to oral health care.  Nardone Limited would like to congratulate Ohio State on implementing this new CARE program.  We commend you for your efforts in making dental care more accessible for Ohioans.