CAMP HILL, Pa. (Jan. 24, 2024) – Nearly 40 dentistry and dental hygiene students at nine colleges and universities across the country are collectively receiving $270,000 in scholarship assistance for the 2023-2024 school year from United Concordia Dental and the United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund.
“Every year, United Concordia gives thousands of dollars in scholarship support to students aspiring to be dentists and dental hygienists,” said Ed Shellard, DMD, president and CEO, United Concordia. “Through this funding, we hope to alleviate some of the financial stress for students pursuing a career in the dental field so they can better focus on achieving their academic and career goals.”
Colleges and universities benefiting from the funding are:
- Community College of Denver; Dental Hygiene program
- Community College of Philadelphia; Dental Hygiene program
- Houston Community College; Dental Hygiene program
- Howard University College of Dentistry; Dental program
- Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry; Dental program
- University of New Mexico; Dental Hygiene program
- UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry; Dental program
- University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine; Dental and Dental Hygiene programs
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry; Dental and Dental Hygiene programs
“I am so honored and thankful to receive the United Concordia Dental scholarship as it will support me immensely in my studies to become a dental hygienist,” said Lily Hynson, dental hygiene student and scholarship recipient, Community College of Denver. “Going into the health care field has always been my dream, and it wouldn’t be possible without financial support like this.”
Making dental education more accessible for students is just one goal of United Concordia’s dental scholarship. The funding also aims to increase diversity in the oral health workforce, which research suggests can help reduce barriers to care and improve oral health outcomes.
“By investing in dental and dental hygiene students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, we can better meet the unique oral and overall health care needs of our increasingly diverse communities – particularly for our most underserved populations,” said Shellard.
Scholarship recipients are selected by the colleges and universities based on a variety of criteria, including financial need and academic achievement.
Since 2004, United Concordia has provided more than $1.1 million in financial support to dental and dental hygiene students to help cover the cost of their education.
To learn more about United Concordia, visit UnitedConcordia.com.
Contact:
Kristy Cramlet
United Concordia Dental
717-260-7762
kristy.cramlet@ucci.com
Leilyn Perri
Highmark Health
717-302-4243
leilyn.perri@highmarkhealth.org
