There are numerous events across Pennsylvania that have direct interactions with students, especially high school students. Many school districts hold career events within their schools, including career days where people from all areas of the workforce speak to students about what they do for a living. A few months ago, I attended one of these events at the Montour School District. Myself, a state trooper, and a man with a welding shop were the trio in one of the rooms students visited. It was interesting to hear their stories about their jobs.
There are also larger events that provide many students the opportunity to hear from several professions. Although designated as college fairs, there are many tables at these events that do not include college admissions. The Pennsylvania Association of College Admission Counseling( PACAC) regularly lists in-person college fairs for high school students on their website( www. pacac. org) and updates these all year. Most of these events are in the fall, though spring would be a close second. At one of these events near Philadelphia last year, former PDA president / ADA trustee Dr. Linda Himmelberger and former PDA president Dr. Cary Limberakis attended an event with over 2,000 students! They spoke to many students about a prospective dental career.
High school guidance counselors also have their own organization: The Pennsylvania School Counselors Association( PSCA). Their website( paschoolcounselor. org) also lists many state and local events. Maybe these events are right in your neighborhood!
As I have mentioned several times, the lack of dental auxiliaries is not going to solve itself. No act of Congress will have an immediate effect. No miracle is out there waiting to be discovered. No one knows more about the profession of dentistry than dentists. PDA makes up the largest group of dentists in the state of Pennsylvania. We have the resources to affect change in the conversation among students and counselors about a career that involves dental medicine. We have the passion to promote our practice, our opportunities, and our love of what we do for the people of our state. We can show our deep community involvement where our practices are located. How many of you are hit up every year by students looking for advertising in the annual high school football or band program, the yearly school play, or some other event? Speaking at the schools across Pennsylvania would be at the high end of community involvement – showing these students a path to a successful career. Please help PDA and the dental community by getting involved!
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2025 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 15