The Maryland Department of Health is launching a new program to drive dental students to practice in areas with dental healthcare shortages, according to a May 30 report by Maryland Matters.
The Pathways to Bright Futures program encourages students to practice in areas of Western Maryland, the Eastern Shore and Baltimore, which have fewer than 20 dentists per 100,000 residents. The national average is 61 dentists per 100,000 residents.
The program awards funds to students that are planning practice in a dental shortage area in the state.
The goal of the program is to promote dentistry as a career path for more young people in Maryland to help fill gaps in coverage.
The program is funded through a grant from the federal Health Resources and Service Administration, the report said.