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Fourth dental diversity meeting praises progress by Cindy Abole Public Relations For the fourth year, a group of statewide dentists have gathered on July 19 to discuss outcomes, successes and ideas that have energized minority recruitment in recent years and will continue to foster alumni involvement at the College of Dental Medicine. Results of the year’s recruitment activities including September’s Dental Day and February’s Dental Career Opportunity Program (DCOP), plus fund-raising efforts for the Dr. George C. McTeer Sr. Scholarship and donations and progress report on the proposed Dr. James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine building were discussed. The group ended their meeting with a screening of a dental media project and tour the mobile dental health clinic. Created in 1999 by Richard DeChamplain, DMD, dean, College of Dental Medicine, the Dean's Advisory Council on Diversity was created to increase minority enrollment by the support, suggestions and recruitment from minority alumni. “This is a new day,” said John Raymond, M.D., interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, addressing the mid-day crowd. “Our institution has made great strides and continues to move forward in making our campus, students and faculty more reflective of our state and country.”  Although the ratio of minority dental school students remains unchanged, the number of minority dental school applicants continues to grow. Of this year’s class of 55 incoming dental medicine freshman, four are African American and one is Hispanic.  This year’s gathering welcomed several newcomers and supporters to the effort including dental professionals and alumni Isaiah Davis, Benetta Bell, Randy Johnson, Caroline Jones, Todd Tidwell and Lenora Covington. “This year’s meeting helped gather new alumni and members to our recruitment efforts,” said Gwendelyn Brown, DMD, director of the College of Dental Medicine's Office of Diversity. “Their input from sharing their educational experience to their work as dental professionals has been invaluable.”  Several participants were able to share the names of potential recruits to the dental profession within their communities. Dental alumnus Randy Johnson, DMD (Class of 1990) traveled from his upstate practice in Seneca to attend the event.  “I’m glad to see Dr. Brown’s involvement in minority issues within the college,” said Johnson. “She shows a genuine interest and I’m glad that I can support her and potential students as a resource in the community.” Johnson, himself, remembers his early days as a dental school candidate with fondness. He was impressed with the genuine, caring attitudes displayed to him by faculty during his interviews and consideration period.  “The phone calls and follow-up were encouraging,” Johnson said. “Their actions helped  me really consider MUSC and my choice of becoming a dental student here.”   Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.