The Delaware Institute for Dental Education and Research (DIDER) focuses on ways to increase the number of dentists and expand access to low-income uninsured patients in Delaware.
Through DIDER, five (5) admission slots are reserved at Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry for Delaware applicants. The program increases the odds of acceptance for Delaware students and promotes opportunities for participating dental students to complete externship and residency training programs at facilities in Delaware.
DIDER / Temple Partnership
In 2005, the DIDER Board identified access to dental school as a key priority in achieving its mission, and began reviewing options for providing opportunities for Delawareans to attend dental school. Using the model developed by the Delaware Institute for Medical Education and Research (DIMER), the Board conducted discussions with several dental schools in the region and Temple University emerged as the ideal partner.
Each year DIDER signs an agreement with the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University which guarantees admission to five qualified students from Delaware in each entering class of dental students. This relationship provides Delaware residents with an opportunity to receive quality education and training at a highly regarded regional dental school.
The partnership also promotes opportunities for participating dental students to complete externship and residency training programs at facilities in Delaware. Delaware residents are eligible to participate regardless of the location of their undergraduate educational institution. Students must meet Temple University’s academic requirements, and this program does not guarantee admittance. All Delawareans who are accepted and choose to attend Temple will be automatically admitted to the DIDER program; they are not required to fill out any additional applications.
DIDER Application Process
Students interested in attending the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University should apply through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS).
AADSAS
1400 K Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 289-8123 or (800) 353-2237
www.adea.org/dental_education_pathways/aadsas/Pages/default.aspx
After receipt of the AADSAS application, Temple automatically identifies Delaware residents, which, if accepted, assures them participation in the DIDER program. Eligible participants in the DIDER program must be legal residents of the State of Delaware and meet the pre-dental academic requirements of Temple University.
DIDER Board Members
| Member Name | Member Description |
|---|---|
| Louis Rafetto, D.M.D. | Chair, Delaware State Dental Society |
| Theodore Becker Jr., D.M.D | Delaware Health Care Commission |
| Jeffrey Cole, D.D.S., MBA, FAGD | ChristianaCare |
| Nicholas Conte, D.M.D., MBA | State of Delaware |
| Lisa Goss, RDH, BS | Delaware Dental Hygienist Association |
| Andrew Swiatowica, D.D.S. | Delaware State Board of Dentistry and Dental Hygiene |
| Brian McAllister, D.D.S. | Department of Education, Higher Education Office |
| Ray S. Rafetto, D.M.D. | State Dental Society |
| Erika L. Williams, D.M.D. | Delaware State Dental Society |
Where can I get more information?
For information about Temple:
Brian Hahn, Recruitment Coordinator
Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University
3223 North Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19140
(215) 707-2819
brian.hahn@temple.edu
Website: www.temple.edu/dentistry/
For information about DIDER:
Delaware Health Care Commission
410 Federal Street
Suite 7
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 739-2730
