DTA Foundation announces its first ever student interns

Earlier this year, the DTA Foundation established its first ever internship program. This is one important way for the DTA Foundation to build out some capacity, while also teaching students the importance of oral health on overall health. Both from DC area universities, where the DTA and DTA Foundation are headquarted, these students will contribute their unique experiences and expertise to the Foundation through collecting and analyzing data. Their work as summer interns will culminate in different reports that they will present to the DTA Foundation virtually at their August board meeting.

Aman T. Bivens of George Mason University, Impact Assessment Intern, will help with the creation of a funding impact report by gathering materials and data via direct communications or survey work to and from past recipients and partners. The intern will also help assess and suggest which data and highlights might best map out the DTA Foundation’s impact through its funding over the past 20 years.

• Hi, my name is Aman Bivens. I will be pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Health in the Fall as my goal is to become an epidemiologist. I look forward to helping the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation to improve the access to oral health care across all communities. I believe it is important to increase access and literacy to oral health because a lot of individuals do not see it as a part of health care, but it is a vital part as it can prevent other diseases.

Marissa Garland of the University of the District of Columbia, Strategic Branding and Messaging Intern, will assist with collateral and strategies through survey data and analysis that will help the Foundation gain a consistent voice, feel, and recognizable position in oral health, along with better emotionally connect with key stakeholders

• Hi everyone, my name is Marissa Garland and I’m a student at UDC and I major in Business Management with a focus in Marketing and second major in Finance. I graduate in May 2024. I also have my own business entitled RissStyles where I have my own clothing brand. I’m very pleased to be interning at the Dental Trade Alliance foundation.