LPDS Community Programs

Sonrisas Scholars is a high school outreach initiative by the Latinx Pre-Dental Society (LPDS) at UCLA designed to introduce high school students to the field of dentistry through mentorship and educational outreach.

Interested in being mentored by a UCLA pre-dental college student? Sonrisas Scholars offers:

• Time management and study strategies

• Introduction to healthcare and dental career pathways

• Support in building confidence and preparing for life after high school

• 45-minute virtual mentorship sessions every two weeks form January through June

Our goal is to connect students with mentors they can look up to, relate to, and ask questions, especially as they prepare for college applications. We aim to support juniors who may be first-generation, undecided about their career path, or simply in need of guidance.

Students can also join our Sonrisas Scholars monthly mailing list, where we share real experiences from our LPDS students to further expose them to the field of dentistry. In the future, students may be paired with an LPDS mentor who can provide guidance on academics, college preparation, and exploring healthcare careers.

The Caminos Dentales Education Program brings LPDS members to local schools to teach students about oral health, hygiene, and the importance of preventative dental care. Our interactive presentations are designed to be engaging, age-appropriate, and accessible.

Through this program, students experience oral health education in a fun, engaging way that sparks curiosity and encourages participation. Each Caminos Dentales visit is designed to make learning about oral health more memorable, while helping students build lifelong healthy habits from an early age!

What Schools Get

• Oral hygiene education

• Preventative care basics

• Interactive activities & demonstrations

• Exposure to dentistry & healthcare careers

• Presentation by UCLA pre-dental students