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PORTLAND, Maine

UNE hosts second annual Dental Careers Exploration Camp to inspire next generation of dentists

The University of New England is hosting its second annual "Dental Careers Exploration Camp" for Maine high school students from all regions of the state on Sunday, June 26 through Wednesday, June 29, 2011 on the Portland Campus. 

Twenty-eight high school students are participating in this year's program.

Students learn about various dental techniques on patient simulators, including preparing teeth, placing sutures and taking radiographs in addition to participating in discussions on sterilization, infection control and radiation safety. 

Clinical activities took place on Monday, June 27. On the morning of Tuesday, June 28, students have the opportunity to job shadow at dental offices in the area.

"The need for increased access to dental care in Maine is great," said James Koelbl, Dean of UNE's College of Dental Medicine, scheduled to open in the fall of 2013. "Forty-one percent of Maine's dentists are 55 years or older, and the American Dental Education Association has forecast that in five years, more dentists will be retiring from the work force than graduating from school. We hope this camp will inspire our next generation of dentists."

UNE's Dental Careers Exploration Camp is sponsored by TD Bank, The Betterment Fund and Bangor Savings Bank. The camp is one component of a multi-pronged effort to encourage Maine students to explore careers in dentistry. 

GEAR UP

During the school year, UNE visits 15 GEAR UP schools around the state with a patient simulator to give students in rural areas an opportunity to learn about dental careers and techniques. Maine's GEAR UP Program is helping to create a sustainable culture in schools that supports students who are economically disadvantaged in preparing for, accessing and succeeding in postsecondary education.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.