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Why Join?
Why Join?
Navigating the pre-dental path can be overwhelming—especially as a first-generation or underrepresented student. That is why LPDS is here. We are committed to increasing retention and success among Latinx pre-dental students by offering a strong support system rooted in community, mentorship, and opportunity.
Our members gain access to workshops, volunteering, and networking opportunities that help them grow both professionally and personally. Through our partnership with UCLA School of Dentistry's Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA), students receive personalized mentorship from those who've walked the path before them.
At LPDS, you will find more than just resources—you will find a familia that understands your journey, celebrates your heritage, and supports your goals every step of the way.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our purpose is to create a welcoming community for pre-dental students, offering opportunities and experiences that are reflective of oral health disparities within the Latinx community. This is established by expanding dental services directly to communities of interest, advocating for equitable dental care policy, and collaborating with community partners to increase oral health education in underserved communities
Findings
Findings
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), Latinx providers make up approximately 6% of the dental profession in the United States as of 2023. Additionally, an estimated 68.5 million adults in the United States, many belonging to the Latinx community, do not have dental insurance as of 2023. We have noticed that there are significant gaps in dental care, procedures, and assessment stemming from economic disparity. Present are also the eminent challenges that language barriers create, preventing Spanish-speaking and undocumented Latinx communities from engaging and understanding the comprehensiveness of their dental health. This disconnect from the dental profession allows for inequalities, misconceptions, and accessibilities to grow, furthering the failure to address potential critical oral health conditions.
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