Mentorship Program

The Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) & University of Manitoba Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry Dental Student Mentorship Program is designed to provide a continuous four-year relationship between a practicing dentist (mentor) from the community and a dental student (mentee).

The mentor-mentee relationship will be developed through formal structured events (usually one each semester) and informal activities scheduled as appropriate by the mentor-mentee pairs.

Through this program, mentors will support the dental students experience through guidance and advisement. Mentees will receive exposure to organized dentistry and professional leadership, which will allow them an enhanced understanding of community service and service opportunities. They will also have opportunities for employment or launching of independent practice advice upon the completion of their dental degree.

Resources

Mentorship Program Handbook 2024

News

The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recently conferred the CDA Mentorship Advancement Award to Dr. Craig Fedorowich and Dr. Huma Sharief. 

Dr. Craig and Dr. Sharief have worked tirelessly to build the Mentorship Program. Since 2019, they have organized up to 200 mentors and students each year while at the same time overseeing an annual series of lectures, events and materials designed to provide professional development and ongoing mentor support to students. This program has built a sense of community, and a network of supportive relationships as students prepare to enter the profession. And this support continues well beyond their student years. This program has also created an opportunity for a large cohort of MDA members to make a contribution. There is a mix of rural, urban, GP and specialist involvement and the diversity of the profession is represented in this program.

Following the recent end of their term as co-chairs of the program, both Dr. Fedorowich and Dr. Sharief have chosen to stay on as mentors.

https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/services/essentials/2024/issue4/18/

The CDA Oasis Podcast interviewed Dr. Fedorowich and Dr. Sharief in the episode, "The Power of Membership in Dentistry," where they share their experience working with the MDA Mentorship Program and offer advice to graduates on finding a mentor that works for them.