Increasing access to care with diversity

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Dental Public Health
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Lack of diversity among oral health professionals is a significant barrier to dental care access for racial and ethnic minorities.
• Minority patients often prefer providers of their own background, who are more likely to practice in underserved areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of diversity in dental schools on the oral health workforce and patient care.
• To highlight the role of dental school admissions in addressing disparities in dental care access.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing surveys and studies on dental care access, workforce diversity, and patient preferences.
• Analysis of the relationship between dental school diversity and graduates' practice patterns.

Main Results:

• Increased diversity in dental schools can motivate all students, not just minorities, to serve underserved populations.
• Diverse student bodies enhance the educational experience and foster a commitment to equitable care.

Conclusions:

• Admissions committees should re-evaluate criteria to build diverse dental school classes representative of national diversity.
• Enhancing diversity in dental education is essential for expanding oral health services to all societal segments.