Increasing Access to Care with Diversity

Abstract

While many factors contribute to lack of access to dental care along racial and ethnic lines, one of the most prominent factors is a lack of diversity among oral health professionals. Surveys and studies show that individuals in minority communities are more likely to seek treatment from people of their own racial or ethnic background and, in turn, that those caregivers are more likely to work in minority communities and have a desire to provide care to the underserved. Further studies show that increasing diversity in dental schools can help motivate all dental students, not just minorities, to provide care to the underserved after graduation. To increase diversity in the workforce, there must be an increase in diversity at dental schools. Admissions committees need to reanalyze standard admissions criteria to achieve the goal of building a diverse student body that is representative of the ethnic and cultural diversity of our nation. Increasing the diversity of our schools enhances the educational experience and increases the likelihood that dental school graduates will practice in ways that extend oral care services to all segments of society.

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