The black and white of dental education in the United States enrollment and graduation trends

Data from the American Association of Dental Schools (AADS) and American De ntal Association (ADA) were evaluated for trends in dental school enrollmen t and graduation. In the last 20 years, African-American enrollment has var ied From a low of 4.7% (1980-1981) to a high of 6.9% (1988-1989). This figu re declined to 5.2% in 1997-1998. African-American graduation percentages i n the last 20 years have varied between 3.4% (1979) and 5.4% (1996). The fu ture percentage of graduating African-American dentists is projected to dec line. Historically, minority dental education institutions have educated a significant percentage of African Americans and continue to educate approxi mately 40% of graduating African-American dentists. Strategies to increase recruitment of African Americans include: 1. Greater support for minority primary and secondary education including t he establishment of mentoring programs. 2. Dental education outreach programs to minority secondary school and coll ege students. 3. An increase in affirmative action programs. 4. Greater support for minority dental education institutions. 5. Student loan forgiveness programs, which aid recruitment of minority fac ulty and dental students who either teach or serve minority communities.