Tiffany Chen, D.D.S. ’27, Participating in UCLA’s Health Equity Challenge

Tiffany Chen ’19, D.D.S. ’27, is one of 15 graduate student finalists in the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research’s fourth annual Health Equity Challenge, sponsored by The MolinaCares Accord (MolinaCares), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of California (Molina), and the California Health Care Foundation.

Since it debuted in 2022, the challenge invites graduate students from any UCLA department or school to propose a project that would help address a health disparity in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, or Riverside counties.

For her project, Chen will partner with mobile dental clinics to expand access to cleanings, hand out dental kits, and share oral health information to address disparities for people experiencing homelessness. Over 15 weeks (which started in January) Chen will receive a $2,500 stipend and work with a faculty or community mentor, participate in trainings and workshops, write a blog, select a community organization that can implement the project, create a poster, and develop a full project proposal.

An independent review committee will evaluate all 15 proposals and select four student projects for funding. The students will be awarded an additional $2,500 stipend while their community partners will be awarded up to $50,000 each to implement the project.

“Oral health issues are commonly overlooked among individuals experiencing homelessness and further exacerbated by a lack of access to dental care and health education, often leading to severe pain and infection, increased risk of systemic diseases, and diminished quality of life,” said Chen. “By meeting patients directly where they are in the community, this initiative strives to build trust and create a comprehensive resource for medical, dental, nutritional, and public health services."

As a D.D.S. student, Chen has served in volunteer and leadership roles with UCLA’s chapter of the American Student Dental Association, organizing and leading oral health education programs for children at local schools, Boys and Girls clubs, and community centers, as well as co-leading planning of regional meetings and conferences as chair of the District 11 Cabinet Conference Committee.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in biology at UCLA, Chen began working closely with medically underserved communities through community health centers, health fair screening services, and mobile kitchens. It was through these experiences that she developed a deep passion for advocating for and serving populations experiencing homelessness. She has volunteered at various organizations including the Good Shepherd Shelter, Share a Meal Mobile Community Clinic, and Samaritan House, and co-founded the Healthy and Powerful You Health Fair at UCLA.

Chen aspires to combine her ongoing dental education with her past experiences in cardiovascular and diabetes research, community medicine, and public health to advance oral health equity for underserved populations.

Content in this story reposted with permission of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.