About The Dental Equity Project
The Dental Equity Project is a community initiative based in Edmonton, Alberta, focused on improving equity within dental health care and education across the province. The project operates through two central areas of focus: oral health accessibility and support for students pursuing careers in dentistry.
The first area of focus involves improving access to oral health resources within communities facing barriers to care. Through outreach and public education, The Dental Equity Project increases awareness of publicly funded dental programs and lower-cost care options available across Alberta. The project also coordinates the collection and distribution of oral hygiene supplies through partnerships with local dental clinics and community organizations supporting vulnerable populations in both urban and rural communities.
The second area of focus involves supporting students pursuing pathways into dentistry. The Dental Equity Project provides mentorship and educational guidance to students navigating the application process, with particular attention to first-generation applicants and students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. The initiative aims to make information surrounding dental education more accessible to students who may not have personal connections within the profession.
The project reflects a broader commitment to accessibility within dentistry at both the community level and the professional level. Through advocacy and education, The Dental Equity Project seeks to encourage a more equitable future for oral health care across Alberta.
Lara Ozcan is a University of Alberta psychology graduate with aspirations of pursuing dentistry in Canada. Growing up without regular dental care due to financial constraints, she developed a commitment to advocating for accessible oral health services in her community. Through volunteer work with newcomers and children from lower income backgrounds, Lara became increasingly aware of the multifaceted barriers many individuals face when accessing dental resources. As a first-generation dental school applicant, she also experienced the challenges of pursuing dentistry without mentorship, which motivated her to create opportunities to help guide other students navigating the admissions process for the first time. These experiences led her to establish The Dental Equity Project with the goal of improving equity within oral health care and dental education across Alberta.