Dentistry

Options

The Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) currently has options in clinical laboratory science (medical techology), dental hygiene, dentistry, medial technology, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and radiography. The information contained on this page pertains only to dentistry. For information on the other options, make a new selection from the Health Professions options page, call 888-293-2293, or email hpoffice@csc.edu.

Who Can Apply

Any person with a high school diploma or equivalent, a sincere interest in becoming a dentist, and a willingness to practice in rural Nebraska is encouraged to apply.

Deadlines

Only on-line applications are accepted. Early applications are encouraged. All application materials, including letters of reference, transcripts, and ACT scores must be sent to the CSC Health Professions Office by the December 1 deadline. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify a complete application prior to the December 1 deadline. Click here for an application

Program Characteristics

A Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Biology is awarded by Chadron State College upon the successful completion of the curriculum at CSC. The degree, Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), is awarded by the UNMC College of Dentistry upon successful completion of the professional program.
The application of college credit earned through previous college work, CLEP or high school courses for college credit under an Advanced Placement curriculum, will be determined on an individual basis.

Selection Guidelines

Numerous factors are a part of the selection process. For the Rural Health Opportunities Program, special consideration will be given to applicants who:

Want to become dentists.
Demonstrate academic potential.
Are from rural areas of Nebraska.
Are committed to returning to rural areas of Nebraska to practice.

Interviews

Interviews will be approximately 20-30 minutes in length, informal and conducted by faculty from UNMC, CSC or WSC. The interviewers are interested in learning as much about the interviewee as possible, and in answering any questions he/she may have regarding Chadron State College, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, or the Rural Health Opportunities Program. The interviews will be held on the CSC campus. Each person being interviewed will receive a letter stating the specific time and location for the interview.

Final Selection

RHOP Positions: Two applicants will be selected to fill the positions in the program for the next class.

Alternate Positions: Two applicants will be selected as alternates. Only alternates will be allowed to fill any vacancies that may develop in this class. Those students receiving alternate status will maintain this status as long as they enroll at the college to which they have applied (CSC), maintain the standards set forth in the RHOP guidelines, and follow the prescribed curriculum.

All applicants will be notified of their status as soon as possible.

Career Promotional Activities

Exposure to the world of dentistry and rural health care is an important additional objective of the pre-dentistry studies at Chadron State College. The following are some activities in which each student will participate:

Attend credit and non-credit UNMC conducted videoconferences and classes.
Visit the University of Nebraska Medical Center - College of Dentistry in Lincoln for tours, seminars and workshops.
Develop a professional association with one or more practicing dentists.
Visit, work or volunteer to help with patient care in dental clinics, hospitals, or nursing homes.
Attend classes with dental hygiene students at the UNMC College of Dentistry.
Attend classes and clinics with dental students at the UNMC College of Dentistry.
Participate in on-campus activities for health professions students.

Program Standards

Course Work

Follow the specific curriculum designed for this program.
Complete courses in a timely manner in order to enter the professional program as scheduled.
Obtain approval from the RHOP Dentistry Option advisor before making any changes in your class schedule as listed in the Program of Study for the Dentistry Option.

Academic Standards

Earn a "C" or better in each course. Each course with a final grade of "D" or "F" must be repeated as soon as possible.
Maintain a cumulative and a Science and Math grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better each semester. A student with either GPA below a 3.5 will be placed on Academic Probation for one year. If the GPA remains below the minimum at the end of the year of probation, the student may be dropped from the program. Dismissal is at the discretion of the Director of Health Professions, in consultation with the Health Professions Advisory Group at Chadron State College and the Dental Administration, UNMC College of Dentistry.
Consult with the RHOP Dentistry Option Advisor on a regular basis.

Professional Development

Each student must write a journal with a copy submitted to the Health Professions Office at the end of each semester. The journal is a record of all activities that enhance the student's understanding of the art and practice of dentistry, motivates the student to become a dentist in rural Nebraska, or in any way enhances the professional development of the student. Your academic advisor can help you with an understanding of this requirement.
Each student must shadow one or more dentist on a regular basis. A minimum of 40 hours per year is expected. The student is expected to develop a professional association with one or more practicing dentistry in rural Nebraska.
Students must participate in credit and non-credit classes, videoconferences and workshops conducted by the University of Nebraska Medical Center as well as trips to the Medical Center on a regular basis. Each student is expected to actively seek opportunities to enhance their understanding of the practice of dentistry in rural Nebraska.
Students must participate in on-campus activities that enhance their abilities to interact with people.
Should the student fail to perform these obligations, he/she will be dismissed from the program at the discretion of the Director of Health Professions, in consultation with the Health Professions Advisory Group at Chadron State College, and Dental Administration, UNMC College of Dentistry.

Entrance into the Professional Program

In order to enter the College of Dentistry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center as an RHOP student, the student must have:

An overall GPA of 3.5 or better.
A Math and Science GPA of 3.5 or better.
A favorable recommendation from the Health Professions Director, in consultation with the Health Professions Advisory Group.
A completed application submitted to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry in a timely manner.
Completed the DAT by January of your senior year.

Benefits of the Program

If selected as a participant in the program, each student will:

Receive early acceptance to the College of Dentistry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center as you begin the pre-dentistry curriculum at Chadron State College.
Follow a specific curriculum at Chadron State College, which will prepare you for your dental studies at UNMC.
Have recognition of your desire to become a dentist.

For course work requirements while at CSC please see the degree programs page.