All over rural Oklahoma, the need for additional dentists is growing. The challenges of ensuring accessible care, having the manpower to ensure quality care, and balancing the over-saturated markets of Oklahoma City and Tulsa with the underserved areas like Lawton and Enid, have become increasingly difficult. A new program, the ODA Rural Externship, introduced by the ODA’s Task Force on Rural Manpower, is a way that the ODA is attempting to address this issue.

Setting the groundwork for the future, the program will connect dental students having completed their first year, with dentists practicing in Oklahoma’s rural areas. Creating an environment for mentorship, the program seeks to introduce soon-to-be dentists to the great possibilities of practicing in rural communities. Not only is this a great opportunity for dental students, but also for participating dentists. This program provides another way to create a succession plan, and an opportunity to bring new possibilities to areas that can’t afford to see their dentists retire. Each participating dentist will be asked to provide the student with experience in the dental office, room and board, community involvement, and compensation for the two-week externship.
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Busy this Summer? Looking for an externship?

Come to the Oklahoma Dental Association’s
First Panel Discussion on Rural Dentistry

Learn more about a new externship exclusive for first year dental students and spouses.

Meet and hear from dentists and Alliance members from the rural districts.

When: March 25th @ 6:00 p.m.
Where: The ODA Building, 317 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK
Who: First Year Dental Students and Spouses

Please RSVP to Jerrell Welch or by phone at 405-848-8873 by March 20th.