May 29, 2024
Media Contact:Chase Cook, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-8649
PHOTO RELEASE: Maryland Department of Health hosts Pathways to Bright Futures program launchDepartment announces dental education-to-career pipeline initiative, awards scholarships to aspiring dental studentsBaltimore, MD – Today, the Maryland Department of Health hosted a celebratory event at the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore to launch the Pathways to Bright Futures program. The program addresses the shortage of dental professionals in underserved communities by promoting dental careers among young people living in those areas. The launch also brought together students and stakeholders to discuss and tackle disparities in dental care access in Maryland.
Nilesh Kalyanaraman, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, discusses the Pathways to Bright Futures initiative and the importance of promoting oral health equity and reducing the dental workforce shortage in Maryland
"I'm honored to recognize the cohort of students who will make a difference in health equity through their service," said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman. "We created Pathways to Bright Futures to support Marylanders as they pursue careers in dental health. We hope that their examples will inspire future generations of dental professionals."
Award recipients gather with Pathways to Bright Futures leadership partners from the Maryland Department of Health, Maryland Dental Action Coalition and Maryland State Dental Association Charitable and Educational Foundation
During the event, the Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the Maryland Dental Action Coalition, and Maryland State Dental Association Charitable and Educational Foundation, presented scholarships and grants to high school and college students who aspire to pursue careers in dentistry. These scholarships will assist the students in covering their education tuition and program application fees.
For information about Maryland Department of Health dental programs, visit
health.maryland.gov/oral-health.
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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement.
