Dental Excellence Programs at Temple Dental
Dynamic opportunities for learning and practice
Engagement with patients and communities
Practice the future of dentistry!

The Kornberg School of Dentistry works diligently to embrace and foster diversity within the dental school community, promoting respect and understanding across culture, religion, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, income, and expression of opinion.

Temple’s focus on clinical excellence in education and patient care attracts multiculturally diverse students from across the globe who share a relentless drive to become committed, confident, ethically sound and clinically advanced practitioners. Dentistry is a humanistic health profession and, as such, Kornberg seeks to promote a welcoming and supportive environment for faculty, patients, staff and students.

Located in North Philadelphia, an area with economically, racially and ethnically diverse populations linked by public transportation that can easily be accessed by over 200,000 residents of the city of Philadelphia, the School of Dentistry offers unparalleled access to a patient population that has dental needs with a wide range of oral health conditions. Patients seen at Kornberg Clinics generally have a keen need for dental care and limited access to such care, resulting in unmatched opportunities for students to provide care. 

On average, students see about 28,000 patients and provide around 130,000 procedures in the 2 years of their predoctoral clinical education. And because there is no shortage of patients, you’ll be able to develop long-term relationships with those you treat throughout your four years in the program.

Efforts to foster and promote diveristy at Kornberg continue today, through our Diversity and Humanistic Culture Committee, Student Ambassador program, mission trips, local community outreach and more.

Student Organizations

To ensure all students feel comfortable and well-represented during their time at Kornberg, Temple offers several student organizations geared specifically toward inclusiveness and the development of community for underrepresented groups.

Student Affairs

Through a partnership with the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, Advocacy and Leadership, Student Affairs seeks to support the success of students from diverse and multicultural backgrounds. This includes outreach, recruitment, mentorship, program planning, individual and group counseling sessions, as well as partnerships with student and professional organizations. Kornberg also boasts a diverse network of alumni.

Contact

For more information regarding Student Affairs and how it may be able to help you, contact the following staff members.

Jamel Long is the director of student affairs and diversity.
Email: jamel.long@temple.edu

Jo Ann Allen Nyquist is the associate dean for student affairs and diversity.
Phone: 215-707-2536
Email: jo.ann.nyquist@temple.edu

Renee Fennell is a diversity officer and adjunct professor.
Email: renee.fennell@temple.edu

International Services

As a Kornberg School of Dentistry student, you’re part of a community of like-minded individuals from all across the world.

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, we welcome you to join our community. We’re available to provide you the support you need on every step of your dental school journey.

The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provides students with the following support.

  • Visa support through study, residency and post-graduation plans
  • Legal documentation for non-immigrant students
  • Advising and counseling services
  • Communication with other university departments, government agencies and the greater community
  • Cross-cultural understanding and appreciation

Learn more about the International Student and Scholar Services.