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Early Career Professional
Early Career Professional
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Micro-Credential: Promoting Critical Thinking
Micro-Credential: Promoting Critical Thinking
Micro-Credential: Facilitating Small Group Learning
Micro-Credential: Facilitating Small Group Learning
Micro-Credential: Promoting an Inclusive and Humanistic Learning Environment
Micro-Credential: Promoting an Inclusive and Humanistic Learning Environment
Micro-Credential:Developing a Teaching Philosophy
Micro-Credential:Developing a Teaching Philosophy
Micro-Credential: Technology Integration in Didactic Teaching
Micro-Credential: Technology Integration in Didactic Teaching
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Annual Session Program Fund
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Wordly AI Translation & Captions
Wordly AI Translation & Captions
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Wordly Session Captions
Evaluation

Assessment

A-004 - Bridging Pathways to Specialty: Advancing Candidate Success Through Impactful Recommendations

Sunday, March 22, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
Location: Room 511 C, F, Fifth Floor, Palais
CE: 1
Keyword: Educational Assessment (A)
SoTLFest Designation: No
LIAA Designation: No
In an era in which class rank is often unreported, the Integrated National Board Dental Examination is pass/fail and personal statements are generated using artificial intelligence, letters of recommendation become critical in evaluating dental specialty applicants. This session examines how program directors interpret these letters to assess readiness, professionalism and program fit. Attendees will explore how to produce meaningful evaluations that support informed interview selection decisions through presentation and group discussion. Specialty-specific breakout sessions will assist in identifying key traits for individual and group implementation. This workshop is for predoctoral and post-graduate directors to engage in open discussion regarding critical inclusions in letters of recommendation.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify key elements of impactful letters of recommendation in absence of tangible metrics.
  • Recognize unintentional biases in letters and apply strategies to improve equity of evaluation.
  • Draft specialty-specific content that aligns with what program directors value in applicants in an honest evaluation of the applicant’s skill set.