Priyanka Prajapati, a student in the University of Washington’s International Dentist DDS Program and a DeRouen Center Research Assistant, has been selected as a 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) awardee for her innovative pilot project based in Kisumu, Kenya. Her work builds on a previous initiative from the DENTSL652 course and seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical training and clinical practice in oral health care. Specifically, the project introduces a hands-on mentorship program designed to support healthcare providers who have previously completed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) oral health training. The mentorship focuses on practical skills, such as conducting oral exams to identify manifestations of HIV and delivering oral hygiene education during routine primary care visits.
Using surveys, interviews, and feedback from mentors, Priyanka’s project aims to assess provider confidence and uncover sustainable strategies for integrating oral exams into routine medical workflows. By strengthening the connection between oral health and primary care, the project seeks to reduce preventable oral diseases and improve overall health outcomes. Ultimately, her work as a SURF awardee supports the development of a practical, scalable model that promotes health equity in underserved communities like Kisumu and surrounding areas.