Dismantling discrimination in dental education

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Dental Education
• Health Equity

Background:

• Howard University and Meharry Medical College have historically trained the majority of African-American physicians and dentists for over a century.
• The dismantling of "separate but equal" has led to increased admission of African-American health professionals into previously segregated institutions.
• The University of Tennessee School of Dentistry exemplifies this shift, now having a significant number of African-American dental alumni.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the historical role of Howard University and Meharry Medical College in training African-American health professionals.
• To examine the impact of desegregation on the admission of African-American students into dental schools.
• To recognize the progress made at institutions like the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of medical and dental school admissions.
• Review of institutional policy changes post-desegregation.
• Case study of the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry's alumni demographics.

Main Results:

• Howard University and Meharry Medical College have been pivotal in educating African-American doctors and dentists.
• Desegregation has enabled greater access for African-American students to medical and dental education.
• The University of Tennessee School of Dentistry shows increased representation of African-American alumni.

Conclusions:

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like Howard and Meharry have been crucial for African-American representation in health professions.
• The integration of formerly segregated institutions is a positive outcome of civil rights advancements.
• Efforts to further increase African-American matriculation in dental schools are ongoing and supported by alumni.