The PDS Foundation has granted over $1.1 million in scholarships since 2016.
The Pacific Dental Services® (PDS) Foundation is proud to announce that 14 dental assisting (DA) students were collectively awarded $50,000 as the Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship recipients for Spring 2023. The scholarships were awarded as part of Dental Assistants Recognition Week, held is year March 5 through 11, to DA students from across the country who represent the future of the dental industry.
Named after Carolyn Ghazal, DDS, a member of the PDS Foundation Board of Directors, this educational scholarship provides DA students with need-based financial aid, mentorship, on-the-job training, and aims to mold the next generation of passionate, servant-hearted dental leaders. Since the program’s inception in 2016, the PDS Foundation has awarded over $1.1 million in scholarships to more than 200 students pursuing their educational goals within the dental field.
“I am always fulfilled not only to have my name associated with these much-needed scholarships, but to know that we’re investing in the next generation of DA students throughout the country,” said Dr. Ghazal. “This financial assistance along with the support that comes with it will allow these students the opportunity to pursue a long career in dental assisting.”
Spring 2023 Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship Recipients:
| Student | Academic Institution | City, State |
| Phana Baptiste | Atlantic Technical College | Coconut Creek, Fla. |
| Deandra Barrus | Carrington College | Tucson, Ariz. |
| Laura Bauer | Dakota County Technical College | Rosemount, Minn. |
| Jerrika Carter | Concorde Career College | Kansas City, Mo. |
| Jakim Flores | Hacienda La Puente Adult Education | La Puente, Calif. |
| Emivie Foreman | Concorde Career College | San Diego, Calif. |
| Glennett Gentle | West Los Angeles College | Los Angeles, Calif. |
| Dania Haqi | UEI College | Riverside, Calif. |
| Mohammad Jaber | Concorde Career College | Memphis, Tenn. |
| Isabella Juve | Herzing University | St. Louis Park, Minn. |
| Alexis Morgan | Houston Community College, Coleman Campus | Houston, Texas |
| Aeemun Shafique | Unitek College | Sacramento, Calif. |
| Tricia Tipping | Carrington College | Las Vegas, Nev. |
| Lillian Vongvilay | Carrington College | Sacramento, Calif. |
Scholarships are awarded on a quarterly basis to DA students to help cover tuition expenses. The Scholarship Review Committee awards scholarships based on applicants' financial need, heart for service, career aspirations, and other criteria.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of DAs is projected to grow eight percent from 2021 to 2031. However, financial hardship often prevents many students from finishing school. Recognizing the importance of DAs to the future of dentistry, the PDS Foundation created this scholarship to provide students with the financial support they need to complete their education.
“Dental assistants are the heart of any dental practice and PDS-supported practices puts special emphasis on the commitment, support and development of their DAs,” said Michael Le, Executive Director of the PDS Foundation. “We will continue to aid in lifting up future dental assistants to meet the growing need and to ensure that they have a path toward a happy and fulfilling career.”
To learn more or apply for a dental assistant scholarship, please visit pdsfoundation.org/programs/scholarships.
PDS Foundation Board Chairman Stephen E. Thorne IV personally awards DA student Tricia Tipping of Carrington College, Las Vegas, Nev. with the Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship at the Pacific Dental Services Support Center in Henderson, Nev.
Two students were awarded Dr. Carolyn Ghazal DA Scholarships from the Pacific Dental Services Foundation during an event in Irvine, Calif.. Pictured left to right: Rose Olague, RDA, PDS Director of School Relations and Dental Assistant Programs and PDS Foundation Advisory Board Member, Jakim Flores from Hacienda La Puente Adult Education, Glennett Gentle from West Los Angeles College, and Dr. Charles Rodgers, DDS, VP of Clinical Quality at Pacific Dental Services.
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