STAHR Dental Assisting Internship Program Overview

The STAHR Dental Assisting Internship Program seeks to improve the preparedness and long-term success of students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are matriculating (admitted into and preparing to begin their first semester) into the UMKC School of Dentistry’s Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) programs.

Participating in the Dental Assisting Internship is free, and students who meet program expectations will receive a stipend for completing all program requirements.

Program Details

The content, rigor, and course volume of the dental curriculum are an adjustment for all incoming students. In the STAHR Dental Assisting Internship Program, students, prior to their first enrolled semester, are given a head-start in developing foundational knowledge and skills for success in their upcoming academics at UMKC. In addition to helping with the transition into the first year of the DDS and BSDH program, the knowledge and experiences gained in the Dental Assisting Internship continue to benefit students in later years of study to aid in on-time graduation.

Before being placed at a clinic, Dental Assisting Internship students take part in online learning modules to train and prepare them for their upcoming role as a dental assistant. Additionally, prior to starting at their clinical site, students will attend an in-person training bootcamp in Kansas City at UMKC’s Health Sciences Campus. Dental Assisting Internship students will be placed in a community-based dental clinic to support the care of patients in medically underserved communities. For the rest of the summer, students serve as dental assistants to provide hands-on connections between their academic knowledge and their future careers. The STAHR Dental Assisting Internship Program provides students with:

• Professional skill development in areas such as communication, ethics, cultural competency, and teamwork.
• Clinical knowledge and skill development in areas such as documentation, patient care, and procedural practices.

Students who successfully meet the expectations of the STAHR Dental Assisting Internship Program will be provided a stipend to support their summer participation. Participation and completion of the STAHR Dental Assisting Internship Program does not provide credit towards the DDS or BSDH program curricula.

Participant Expectations

Students in the STAHR Dental Assisting Internship Program must:

• Participate in all Dental Assisting Internship Program activities as an attentive and engaged learner
• Accept the challenges in developing personally, professionally, and academically
• Exercise responsible and professional behavior as a reflection of yourself and the university
• Foster a community of respect, trust, and support

Eligibility

All students in the STAHR Dental Assisting Internship Program must meet the following criteria:

• Admitted into the UMKC School of Dentistry’s Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) program and preparing to begin their first semester in Fall 2024
• Capacity to complete the online training modules from April-May (completed at own time/pace)
• Availability to attend the in-person training bootcamp at UMKC’s Health Sciences Campus on May 29-31
• Availability to participate 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday during the months of June and July
• From an *economically disadvantaged OR **educationally disadvantaged background
• United States Citizen OR Permanent Resident

*Per HRSA, “Economically Disadvantaged” is determined by having an annual family income that does not exceed 200% of the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines.

**Per HRSA, “Educationally Disadvantaged” is determined by an environment that has inhibited students from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to enroll in & graduate from a health professions school.

Application Process

Students who have been offered admission to the UMKC School of Dentistry’s Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) program must confirm their intent to enroll and begin classes in the fall.

Requirements

To be considered, the following must be completed prior to the deadline:

• STAHR Pre-Matriculation Program Online Application
  • The application is not considered “completed” until the final Submit button has been clicked.
• If not a United States Citizen – A copy of your Permanent Residence Card (Green Card). You may attach a copy of your card through the upload spaces in the application or emailed to stahr@umkc.edu.

Deadline

ALL application materials must be submitted by March 15, 2024 at 11:59pm CDT.

Selection

Students who meet the eligibility requirements and submit all required application materials will undergo a committee review for selection. This committee will review all information about the applicant and determine suitability for the program.

In general, selected applicants:

• Understand and commit to fulfilling all expectations and program requirements
• Demonstrate a strong interest and connection to the benefits of the program

To maximize the resources for each student, STAHR will be accepting a limited number of students:

• ~5 incoming DDS students
• ~5 incoming BSDH students

Students will be notified of their acceptance by March 22, 2024.