The Pacific Dental Services® (PDS) Foundation is pleased to announce the Summer 2024 Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship recipients. The 16 students will receive more than $70,000 collectively in academic scholarships to pursue their education.
This latest scholarship announcement comes a month after the U.S. Senate highlighted the dire need for more dental assistants (DAs) nationwide. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing on the dental care crisis and outlined the shortage of DAs and the impact this has on the overall health of Americans. The hearing came on the heels of a report that finds that 87% of dentists are struggling to recruit DAs for their offices.
Recognizing the importance of DAs to the future of dentistry, the PDS Foundation created the scholarship to provide students with financial support to complete their education. Named after Carolyn Ghazal, DDS, a member of the PDS Foundation Board of Directors, the program provides students with need-based financial aid, mentorship, on-the-job training, and aims to mold the next generation of passionate, servant-hearted leaders.
“It’s inspiring to see another class of dental assistants pursuing this rewarding career,” said Dr. Ghazal. “Thanks to this scholarship program, students have the support to hit the ground running after they graduate. By investing in the next generation of health care leaders, we’re contributing to better oral health for all while helping students build their careers.”
Scholarships are awarded on a quarterly basis to help cover tuition costs, which can often be a barrier to completing certification for DA students. The Scholarship Review Committee considers applicants’ financial need, heart for service, career aspirations, and other criteria.
Since its establishment in 2016, the PDS Foundation has provided more than $1.6 million in financial assistance to support more than 292 students in the dental field.
“We’ve seen the Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship change lives and help students achieve their dreams without the financial worry that often comes with education,” said Michael Le, Executive Director of the PDS Foundation. “It’s especially moving to meet students who show a passion for oral health and for service.
Their contributions to their offices, patients, and to the industry will be monumental and we’re honored to be a part of their journey.”
The application deadline for the next dental assistant scholarship is August 1. To learn more or apply, please visit pdsfoundation.org/programs/scholarships.
Summer 2024 Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship Recipients:
• Kennan Grana, Carrington College, Phoenix, Ariz.
• Leah Peck, Concorde Career College, San Bernardino, Calif.
• Sara Macedo, UEI College, Riverside, Calif.
• Andres Lopez Polanco, Concord Career College, Hollywood, Calif.
• Neptune Brown Rosario, UEI College, Ontario, Calif.
• Aaliyah Jones, UEI College, Garden Grove, Calif.
• Adia Munson, Concorde Career College, Aurora, Colo.
• Jazmine Darbouze, Concorde Career College, Miramar, Fla.
• Money Washington, Concorde Career College, Miramar, Fla.
• Toccara Kleckley, UEI College, Stone Mountain, Ga.
• Rachel Rust, Herzing University, Minneapolis, Minn.
• Walkia Flowers, The College of Healthcare Professions, Dallas, Texas
• Sherry Ingram, Concorde Career College, Dallas, Texas
• Katrina Swafford, Concorde Career College, San Antonio, Texas
• Tohan Momodu, Advanced Dental Assistant Training School, Gainesville, Va.
• Jennifer Camacho, Clover Park Technical College, Lakewood, Wash.
About Pacific Dental Services Foundation
The Pacific Dental Services® Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to improve overall health through opportunities to serve locally, nationally, and internationally. The PDS Foundation provides tools and resources to help build a lasting and sustainable impact on the communities it serves as well as on the volunteers who freely give their time. The vision of the PDS Foundation is a world where everyone has a heart to serve and a home for oral health. Through its three main programs: special needs dentistry, dental assistant scholarships and international service trips, the PDS Foundation has been able to increase access to oral healthcare for communities across the globe. For more information, visit pdsfoundation.org.
