The next Deans’ Seminar in the 2022-23 series will be held this Friday, November 18, 2022. Mallory Roberts, Clinical Assistant Professor in Dental Hygiene, will present her research entitled “The Role of Social Determinants of Student Success in Clinical Program Admissions .”
We will meet at noon in the UCET Classroom (NS245). Feel free to bring your lunch. Soft drinks and water will be provided.
Abstract:
Background: Minorities are underrepresented in the dental hygiene profession. The educational pathway to health care professions is an opportunity to identify a unique set of barriers in the workforce pipeline. With limited capacity, programs are challenged to determine the appropriate criteria with which to rank students for selection of limited positions in the respective programs. The objectivity and evidence correlating GPA to student academic success and licensure pass rates have made GPA the primary criteria for student admission decisions within undergraduate clinical programs. An area lacking research is the influence of social determinant factors on the student selection process and how heavily weighted GPA admission criteria influence diversity, equity, and inclusion within health career programs.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between social determinants and students’ successful admission to an undergraduate clinical nursing, radiography, or dental hygiene program that uses GPA as a primary admissions factor.
Methods: The research design for this study was a quantitative correlational design. The target population for the study was applicants to undergraduate entry-level clinical programs in the United States in the spring/summer semester of the 2021 academic year. Applicants to accessible programs served as the non-probability population sample for this quantitative correlational study. All variables were measured by a novel questionnaire.
Results: Admitting students based on GPA favored individuals who have better lived social experiences and excluded traditionally marginalized populations that experienced social disadvantages.
Conclusions: Balanced admissions criteria presents an opportunity to address the dynamics resulting in the diversity, equity, and inclusion concerns identified within health professions. Understanding the role social factors play in student success can aid in the establishment of balanced admission criteria that provides access to professional licensure careers for traditionally marginalized populations. Student support opportunities can be provided along the prerequisite coursework pathway to provide access to health careers.