DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/883G-G983

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

Available for download on Sunday, May 03, 2026

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