Defense Date
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Dentistry
Department
Dentistry
First Advisor
Steven Lindauer
Second Advisor
Bhavna Shroff
Third Advisor
Caroline Carrico
Fourth Advisor
Carlos Smith
Abstract
Purpose: To determine if there was a difference in desirability of various factors used by applicants ranking orthodontic programs depending on their racial or ethnic background.
Method: A survey was distributed to orthodontic residents to assess overall preferences, and differences in desirability of various factors between underrepresented minority (URM) and non-URM applicants.
Results: For applicants overall, “clear aligner therapy training”, “good quality of clinical faculty” and “high number of cases started” had the highest mean desirability. “Racial and ethnic diversity among current and former residents”, “racial and ethnic diversity among faculty” and “participation in care of Medicaid patients” were significantly more important to URM than non-URM applicants.
Conclusions: Results confirm that clinical factors are most important to program applicants. Additionally, URM applicants put more emphasis on choosing a program with racial and ethnic diversity (peers, mentors, and patients) than non-URM applicants.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-3-2024