Migradent continues as a summer project for selected dental hygiene and dental students, faculty, and staff providing diagnostic, preventive, and restorative services for several hundred children. The School of Dentistry Summer Research Fellowship Program provides research experiences for exceptional dental hygiene and dental students with an interest in research careers and postgraduate research training. Sophomore and junior dental hygiene students are invited to apply for research fellowship positions in the spring of each year. If selected, they are assigned to work with a faculty mentor for the summer. During a ten-week period, students collect and analyze data, undertake a structured research project, and prepare a formal report.
Research fellows attend a weekly research training seminar where they learn research methods.
They also evaluate selected journal articles and review abstracts and oral presentations of former trainees. About 20 students receive stipends each summer. These courses expose seniors to a broad scope of information and technology from a variety of local and national speakers. Students gain by selecting their own educational experiences and interacting with practicing dental hygienists and dentists. Two evenings each week, School of Dentistry dental hygiene and dental student and staff volunteers provide dental hygiene and dental care for the lower-income and homeless population in St. Paul's inner city.