News

Two Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) students have been awarded $2,500 grants respectively from Delta Dental of Illinois for their commitment to improve oral health in Illinois.

The non-profit dental service corporation honored Sarah Tien, of Darien, and Ashley McNealy, of Alton, through its 2015 student grants program. Tien and McNealy earned doctor of dental medicine degrees at the SDM commencement Saturday, June 6.

“Sarah Tien and Ashley McNealy are both bright students and certainly deserving of this distinguished award from Delta Dental of Illinois,” said Dr. Rotter.  “Sarah, Ashley and all the graduates of the Class of 2015 are extremely capable and well trained dentists who will unquestionably have a positive impact on the communities they serve.”

Upon graduation, Tien plans to provide dental care to underserved populations. McNealy plans to practice in Elgin, and is especially interested in using her Spanish language skills to treat the Hispanic population.

Through the grant program, Delta Dental of Illinois provides educational and financial support to two graduating students from the SIU SDM annually. To be eligible for the award students must:

• Pass their National Boards
• Be in the top 25 percent of their class
• Plan to practice in Illinois
• Participate in community outreach activities
• Declare interest in the advanced pediatric dentistry specialty

The SIU School of Dental Medicine students manage approximately 35,000 patient visits each year at its patient clinics in Alton and East St. Louis. In addition, students offer oral health treatment, screenings and education to more than 10,000 people annually through a wide variety of off-campus community outreach events. These opportunities provide students the training they need to graduate and become highly skilled dentists. The School of Dental Medicine is a vital oral health care provider for residents of southern and central Illinois, and the St. Louis metropolitan region.