Humanizing Oral Health: Race, Representation and Equity in Dental Education and Oral Health Care

Abstract

Background: Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is an increasingly important issue in dental education and oral health care. Through illuminating exclusionary practices in the field and persistent health disparities among diverse communities, oral health educators and dental leaders are urged to confront the lack of diversity in dentistry, dental education and the oral health care professions. Methods: To do so, this leadership brief offers The Integrated Humanizing Theoretical Framework for improving access of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) to dental education and oral health care in order to treat diverse underrepresented populations and communities. Results: Drawing from cultural humility theory, critical race theory and theory of restorative justice, this interdisciplinary multicritical framework sets out to analyze, disrupt and improve the care of diverse populations and communities by educating more Black, Hispanic/Latinx and Native American/ Indigenous oral health care providers who serve these minoritized communities. Conclusions: This integrated humanizing theoretical framework is offered to remedy and eliminate racial disparities in dental education and oral health care through understanding the historical context of race as a structural and enduring form of exclusion and inequality in the health sciences and society. Practical implications: Integrating this framework into dental school and continuing education curricula as an awareness and knowledge-building tool for both current and future professionals, educators and policymakers would promote the implementation of race conscious and equity advancing policy, procedure and practice in the field of oral health.