Four years ago, Anna Ceniceros left her rural town of Clarendon, Texas, with a population of less than 1,900, to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a dentist.
She moved to the big city of El Paso to join the inaugural class of Hunter College of Dental Medicine at Texas Tech University-El Paso and pursue a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.
This summer, Ceniceros returned home with a DMD from Hunter and the only community health certificate in the country that is closely integrated with the DMD program.
She says the certificate program has deepened her understanding of the needs of the communities she will serve in the future, especially those in underserved areas like Clarendon.
The dental school and program have prepared her to provide high-quality dental care with compassion and a holistic perspective. She has accepted a job offer at a clinic in nearby Amarillo and plans to start practicing in the summer.
The 40 students who are part of Hunter’s inaugural class have not only acquired professional dental skills, but also a unique public health perspective thanks to the integrated curriculum.
Dr. Salma Elwazeer, director of public health education, noted that the program is designed to develop community-minded dental practitioners who can effectively address oral health inequities and bridge the clinical and public health fields.
The four-year certificate program consists of 11 courses covering basic public health theory and practical applications. Students design interventions based on real community needs, often working with local health agencies.
During their studies, they focus on health disparities, barriers to care, and culturally sensitive care, and conduct case studies.
One graduate received a coveted job offer due to her fluency in Spanish and her patient-centered communication skills.
In addition, students’ research findings have been presented at national conferences. Last year, graduate Cheyenne Winkler won the “Most Outstanding Presentation Award for Clinical Research” at the 29th Hinman Student Research Symposium.
In partnership with the University of Texas Health School of Public Health, four students also successfully completed the certificate program and obtained a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, joining the growing number of dual-degree professionals with a Doctor of Dental Medicine and a Master of Public Health degree. Other aspirants may choose to continue their MPH studies and supplement the certificate program.
About 43% of graduates choose to stay in West Texas, actively responding to the school’s mission to expand rural dental care coverage.
At the same time, 10 graduates have obtained dental residency positions at prestigious institutions such as Yale University, Rutgers University and the University of Washington, demonstrating the competitiveness of the program.
Since its establishment in 2013, Texas Tech University El Paso has served 108 counties in West Texas. As a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, it is committed to cultivating a new generation of health care talents and promoting innovative development in medical, nursing, biomedical and dental education.
