Community Health Dentistry
Through the Health Science Studies Signature Community Health Dentistry Internship, students have the opportunity to earn course credit for HP 4V79: Internship.
Junior & Senior pre-dental interns will learn about public health dentistry to explore public policies surrounding affordable dental care, shadow general dentistry, and participate in mobile dental education programming with Waco Family Medicine.
Team Lead
Dr. Kelsey Thompson, DDS
Dr. Kelsey Thompson leads the School-Based Dental Program at Waco Family Medicine. As a general dentist serving in the community health dentistry sector, she is an expert in public policy, affordable dentistry, pediatric dental education, and additional aspects of public health dental care.
Baylor Partner: Kim Smith, EdD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation
Application Information
Application Deadline:
Application Due Dates: Align with HHPR Internship Deadlines.
Application link available within Canvas: Preparing for the HHPR Internship - HP 4V79.
Qualifications:
HSS major, earned 60+ semester hours, academic internship required, interested in community/public health dentistry.
Applications will be shared with Dr. Thompson who may conduct interviews to select the best applicants.
Once selections are made, students will be notified through their Baylor email.
*By submitting an application for this competitive HSS experience, the applicant acknowledges the program requirement of 150 supervised clock hours with Dr. Thompson.
*If selected, the applicant will complete an internship application within Step/Module 3 in Canvas: Preparing for the HHPR Internship - HP 4V79.
Program Components
Program Goals:
Become familiar with general dentistry and a community health dental practice.
Understand the many facets of public health dentistry.
Gain experience with public policy and programming, including Medicaid/CHIP and DSHS.
Research affordable dental services offered in Texas clinics and compare those nationwide.
Become familiar with pediatric dental education and review best practices to teach children about dental hygiene.
Practice pediatric dental education through mobile, school-based programs.
Practice professional communication.
Collaborate through teamwork.
Outcomes:
Once the student has demonstrated proficiency with specific skills, they will then participate and contribute towards the mobile school-based dental program offered by Waco Family Medicine.
For additional information, connect with HHPR_interns@baylor.edu