Retention Programs

These programs are designed to assist dental and dental hygiene students to successfully progress through HSC-Baylor College of Dentistry.

• Peer Tutoring Program
• Academic Counseling

Peer Tutoring Program

• Peer Assisted Learning Agreement Modified
• Peer Assisted Tutor Request Form
• Peer Tutor Assisted Learning FAQs

The academic progress of all first- and second- year dental and dental hygiene students is closely monitored at HSC-Baylor College of Dentistry.  Students who earn less than 74% on quizzes, exams and lab practical examinations are contacted by the Office of Student Development, and encouraged to pursue options available to them to receive academic tutoring or counseling.

About the tutoring program

• Second-year dental students and senior dental hygiene students are nominated by their first-year course directors to be tutors.
• Fourth-year dental students are nominated by preclinical and clinical faculty to tutor second-year dental students in pre-clinical lab courses.
• Students interested in serving as tutors may choose the subjects they are willing to tutor.
• Tutors are trained in teaching methods and learning styles in early September, and attend short meetings throughout the school year.
• The tutoring service is free to the students being tutored.  Tutors are paid an hourly rate for tutoring, and enjoy working with first-year dental and dental hygiene students. 
• Tutoring helps the tutor to prepare for board exams.
• Dental students who tutor earn one selective credit.  (All dental students must have two selective courses in order to graduate.)
• Methods the tutor may use while working with the student include:  sharing study suggestions they found to work for them, asking questions about course material, and using or developing diagrams and drawings for memory aids.

Tutoring is available for the following:

Dental Courses:

• Gross Anatomy Lab and Lecture
• Dental Anatomy Lab and Lecture
• General and Oral Histology
• Biochemistry
• Growth and Development
• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Physiology
• Pre-Clinical Fixed Prosthodontics Lab
• Pre-Clinical Removable Prosthodontics Lab
• Pre-Clinical Operative Lab
• Occlusion Lab and Lecture

Dental Hygiene Courses:

• Oral Radiology
• Preclinical Dental Hygiene
• Biomedical Sciences I and II
• Applied Dental Materials 

What if I decide not to use these services?

Although some students improve their grades without using these services, it is advantageous for students appearing before the Student Promotions Committee for poor academic performance to have documentation of the academic support services they have used.  It is important that students seek assistance from the course directors, a peer study group, academic counseling and/or tutor(s).

How do I arrange for a tutor?

To request a tutor, please contact Mrs. Sheryl Hornback (ext. 8185).  Mrs. Hornback will meet with you briefly to discuss your academic needs, study habits, and personality, prior to matching you with a tutor.  Once matched, the tutor will contact you by phone to arrange for the first meeting.  It's up to you to arrange and schedule the remaining tutoring sessions to fit your individual needs.

Test Schedules

Schedules of exams, quizzes and lab practicals are assembled and distributed to dental and dental hygiene students at the beginning of each semester.

Academic Counseling

Academic counseling is offered to HSC-Baylor College of Dentistry students experiencing academic difficulty.  They may receive counseling for the following:

• Study skills
• Time management
• Organization
• Test-taking skills
• Reading comprehension and memory skills
• Active study methods
• Stress management

Students who wish to discuss their study skills individually and confidentially may contact:

Mrs. Sheryl Hornback, Educational Specialist
HSC-Baylor College of Dentistry
Office of Student Development and Multicultural Affairs
3302 Gaston Avenue, Rm. 365
Dallas, TX  75246
Phone:  214.828.8185
Email:  shornback@bcd.tamhsc.edu