UNE Dental Careers Exploration Camp covered by media
and , the , the Forecaster (Falmouth) and Journal Tribune;(Biddeford) ran stories on UNE's Dental Careers Exploration Camp on July 25, 26, 27, and 28, 2010. Working alongside Maine GEAR UP, a program working to get more kids into college, UNE is giving high students the chance to experience the healthcare profession first-hand at the Coleman Dental Hygiene Building. The teens put on masks, scrubs and goggles and even even got to practice their drilling skills on a patient simulator. Organizers call the camp a good chance for high school students interested in dentistry to see if it's right for them. It's especially important to encourage dentistry hopefuls in Maine since there is such a shortage of dentists in the state. All 16 counties in Maine have shortages of dental professionals, including dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental lab technicians. As a result, more than 200,000 Mainers don't have regular access to dental care in their communities. Kneka Smith, associate dean for planning, and Jessica Gellar, a dental hygiene instructor at UNE and camp coordinator, were quoted in the stories, as well as several high school students.