Dental program money to encourage rural careers among students

The Buena Vista University (BVU) Biology department recently received a $10,000 grant to help fund the Undergraduate Rural Dental Internship (URDI). To receive this grant, Dr. Rick Lampe, Professor of Biology wrote a proposal to the Delta Dental Foundation. This internship program will be used for two years during interim.

Students who have demonstrated a sincere desire to go into dentistry applied for this grant and recipients will then be selected from those applicants. This internship program is a pilot project for this year, so only one student has been chosen for this interim. Next January, two participants will be selected.

Senior Jen Flint has been selected as the first URDI grant recipient. Flint will be doing work and observations  at three different locations in Storm Lake during the three weeks of interim.

She will be shadowing Dr. Dan Douglass, Dr. Sarah Jewett, and Dr. Chris Hansen for one week each. During her time with each of the dentists, Flint will observe dental procedures, take on special projects and any other miscellaneous tasks asked of her.
It is hoped that this new program will encourage prospective students to become interested in the many opportunities and want to attend BVU.

“We hope that it says to prospective students that we are working really hard to give students opportunities on our campus,” Lampe said.

Flint received $3,000 through this grant and will use the money to further her education.
“Hopefully next fall I will be entering dental school and using this money to pay some of the tuition costs,” Flint said.

According to Dr. Lampe, many rural dentists are at the age of retirement and dental schools are not able to produce enough graduates. Those students who do come out of dental school often times go to larger practices.

This program encourages dental students to return to a rural practice after completing dentistry school. It is a hope that students involved in this program will take interest in the small town atmosphere, and return to have a life and career in a rural location.

Flint has previously shadowed many dentists and is ready for her experience in January.
“I am most excited to see the other components of running a successful dental practice,” Flint said.