Intersectionality in Dentistry: Academic and Professional Challenges for Black Women in Brazil

This study analyzed the association of sex and race/skin color with self-reported perceptions of discredit, discouragement, and lack of representation among Brazilian dental students.

This multicenter cross-sectional study included 531 undergraduate dental students from public and private institutions in Brazil, recruited through snowball sampling. Data were collected via a structured self-administered questionnaire (Google Forms) assessing sociodemographic characteristics (self-declared race/skin color, sex, age, marital status, family income, and parental status), academic trajectory variables (type of institution, student financing, and admission through affirmative action policies or institutional scholarships), and self-reported perceptions of academic experience, including discredit, discouragement, and representation in professional associations and scientific events. Associations were examined using multiple logistic regression (p < 0.05).

The sample included 33.5% Black women and 65.2% from families with a monthly income of up to five minimum wages. Compared to Black women, being a White man, White woman, or Black man showed a protective effect against discouragement and discredit toward pursuing dentistry (p < 0.05), even after adjusting for socioeconomic status. Black women felt less represented by speakers at scientific events than White men and White women (p < 0.02) and less represented by board members in professional associations than White women and Black men (p < 0.05).

The intersection between race and gender, in interaction with socioeconomic status, is associated with challenges related to sense of belonging and academic experience among Black women in dentistry. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening institutional strategies to promote equity and reduce racial and gender disparities in higher education.