The Hinman Dental Society – sponsor of one of the nation’s largest dental meetings, The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting – has awarded scholarships totaling $183,000 to 90 students enrolled at 46 dental schools and dental programs throughout the Southeast. The students selected for scholarships are named “Hinman Scholars” and typically receive their scholarships at the Hinman Dental Meeting in March. With the cancellation of the Meeting this year, scholarships were mailed to students.
“Despite being unable to host the Hinman Dental Meeting, which typically helps fund these scholarships, we felt it was critical to move forward with awarding the student scholarships,” said Dr. Max Ferguson, Chair of the Hinman Dental Society Trustees. “It’s not only an important part of our mission to support dental education, but we recognize that college students also have been impacted by the pandemic and could really use this scholarship money in these unprecedented times.”
Hinman Scholars are selected with input from the dean or head of each school’s Dentistry, Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting departments. Student recipients are typically in the top 10 percent of their class.
“I was thrilled when I received an email from Hinman that I was still going to get the scholarship. I was looking forward to the receipt of that check to pay for my school expenses for the final semester,” said Mustapha Conteh, a dental hygiene student at Atlanta Technical College. “Hinman did exactly what they promised! It means a lot to me that I was chosen among dozens of students to be named a Hinman Scholar – hard work and perseverance can propel anybody to success in life.”
Another student found the scholarship announcement to be a catalyst for her. “The day I received the email… I cried, followed by uncoordinated dance and laughter. I was so emotional and overwhelmed that day. I called my father to express how he was ‘off the hook’ from supporting me this summer,” said Raven Douglas, a dental student at Meharry Medical College, who lost her mother a few years ago to cancer. “I am so undoubtedly grateful that the Hinman Dental Society recognizes those students who excel despite adversity. It’s almost like reaffirmation! I am so proud to be recognized as a Hinman Scholar.”
The Hinman Scholarship Program
Over the past 20 years, the Hinman Dental Society has contributed more than $10 million in scholarships and large gifts in support of dental education. In 1986, the Society created a scholarship program that would donate money to dental students based on need and performance. Three years later, hygiene students were added to the scholarship program. In 2005, scholarships for dental assisting students also were added. In addition, the Society has funded endowed chairs at several dental schools.
The Hinman Meeting, now in its 108th year, annually attracts more than 20,000 dentists, hygienists, assistants, students and other dental professionals and industry personnel to Atlanta. In addition, nearly 400 companies exhibit at the conference, which is held every March.
Recipient Schools of Scholarships
Dental Scholarship Schools:
· Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University (GA)
· Medical University of South Carolina
· Meharry Medical College (TN)
· University of Alabama at Birmingham
· University of Florida
· University of Kentucky
· University of Louisville (KY)
· University of Mississippi
· University of North Carolina
· University of Tennessee
· Virginia Commonwealth University
Hygiene Scholarship Schools:
· Albany State University (GA)
· Athens Technical College (GA)
· Atlanta Technical College (GA)
· August University (GA)
· Central Georgia Technical College (North & South Campuses)
· Chattanooga State Technical Community College (TN)
· Clayton State University (GA)
· Columbus Technical College (GA)
· East Tennessee State University
· Georgia Highlands College
· Georgia State Perimeter College
· Lanier Technical College (GA)
· Roane State Community College (TN)
· Santa Fe College (FL)
· Savannah Technical College (GA)
· Southeastern Technical College (GA)
· Tennessee State University
· University of Louisville (KY)
· University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
· University of Tennessee
· Wallace State Community College (AL)
· West Georgia Technical College (GA)
· Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (GA)
Dental Assisting Schools:
· Albany Technical College (GA)
· Athens Technical College (GA)
· Atlanta Technical College (GA)
· Augusta Technical College (GA)
· Columbus Technical College (GA)
· Georgia Northwestern Technical College
· Gwinnett Technical College (GA)
· Lanier Technical College (GA)
· Ogeechee Technical College (GA)
· Savannah Technical College (GA)
· West Georgia Technical College (GA)
· Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (GA)
The Hinman Tradition
The Hinman Dental Meeting is designed with a commitment to quality and professionalism and a high regard for the value of continuing education. The Meeting is sponsored by the Hinman Dental Society, a non-profit organization, and excess revenue is invested and gifted in the form of individual scholarships to dental, hygiene and assisting students and in contributions to institutions that foster dental education. For additional information about the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting, visit Hinman.org or contact Ms. Sylvia Ratchford, Executive Director, at (404) 231-1663.
