Advancing Dentistry Through Respectful Inclusion: A Focus on Racial Inequities.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Dental Education
• Health Equity

Background:

• The dental profession faces persistent challenges in increasing diversity, particularly for underrepresented minority groups.
• Despite accreditation standards for humanistic environments, dental schools may lack inclusive climates for diverse patients, students, staff, and faculty.
• Significant growth in representation for American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, and Black individuals in dentistry has not been observed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the ongoing lack of diversity in dentistry.
• To examine the inclusivity of dental school environments for minoritized populations.
• To advocate for intentional strategies to advance oral health equity.

Main Methods:

• This study is a qualitative review of the current state of diversity and inclusion in dental education and practice.
• Analysis of representation data for various demographic groups in dentistry.
• Assessment of the functional inclusivity of dental school climates.

Main Results:

• Representation of key minority groups, including American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, and Black individuals, has stagnated in the dental field.
• Dental school environments may not be functionally inclusive, impacting all stakeholders.
• A gap exists between the accreditation standard of humanistic environments and the reality of inclusivity.

Conclusions:

• Advancing oral health equity necessitates deliberate and focused efforts within dental education.
• The entire dental workforce must be considered in strategies to promote diversity and inclusion.
• Intentional interventions are crucial to overcome existing barriers to diversity in dentistry.