Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine (CDM) received nearly $1 million in federal funding to increase diversity in the dental workforce and provide equitable oral health care in rural and underserved areas.
CDM was awarded a HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) Dental Faculty Loan Repayment Program (DFLRP) grant for 2021-26 totaling $997,000, based on available federal funds. The purpose of the grant is to attract, recruit, and retain highly qualified and committed full-time dental faculty from the disciplines of general, pediatric, or public health dentistry who are representative of a diverse patient population and workforce in order to meet the crucial need for equitable oral health care. The Project Director is CDM Professor and Associate Dean for Community Partnerships and Access to Care Marisa Watanabe, DDS, MS, and the Co-Project Director is CDM Assistant Professor Jamie Parado, DDS.