Building sustainable approaches to recruit, retain, and professionalize Black, Latinx, and American Indian students interested in dental careers

Eleanor Fleming · Mercedez Agyemfra · Nnamdi Anige · Sarah E. Raskin

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Diversity and Career in Medicine Dental Education, Practice, Research Medical Education and Admissions

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Only twelve percent of dentists in 2020 self-identified as being Black, Latinx, or "Other," which includes American Indian. Moreover, the proportion of dentists from these groups profoundly fails to reflect the demographic composition of the U.S. overall. Evidence-based, ethically-grounded approaches are needed to successfully and continuously recruit and retain Black, Latinx, and American Indian dental students. We explored the barriers and opportunities to sustainable pathways to the dental profession. METHODS: We conducted focus groups in 2021 with current Black, Latinx, and American Indian dental students and key informant interviews with dental school administrators using elicitation guides developed for this project. We completed a thematic analysis of data to identify and check findings to strengthen validity. RESULTS: We identified the following successes, challenges, and opportunities for recruiting Black, Latinx, and American Indian dental students. Successes include institutional investment to build and sustain pathways, yet many of these practices are institution- or administrator-specific and may defy replication. Challenges are more widespread, and include weak accreditation standards; systemic bias and failure to consider candidates holistically in admissions decisions; costs associated with admissions test preparation and volunteer shadowing; transportation, geography, school culture and language/citizenship status. Opportunities include mentoring, scholarships, removing bias from admissions, institutional financial investment in pathway programs, and peer norming among programs. CONCLUSION: Building sustainable pathways involve early support of students, removing systemic biases, and institutional commitments to equity to create a workforce to meet population needs.

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References

2009How Leaky Is the Health Career Pipeline? Minority Student Achievement in College Gateway Courses 2012Achieving Student Diversity in Dental Schools: A Model That Works 2004Underrepresented Minority Dental School Enrollment: Continued Vigilance Required 2014Underrepresented Minority Students’ Experiences at Baylor College of Dentistry: Perceptions of Cultural Climate and Reasons for Choosing to Attend 2018A Health Professions Pipeline for Underrepresented Students: Middle and High School Initiatives 2020ADEA Faculty Diversity Toolkit: A Comprehensive Approach to Improving Diversity and Inclusion in Dental Education 2020Creating a Comprehensive Approach to Exposing Underrepresented Pre-health Professions Students to Clinical Medicine and Health Research 2020The Impacts of Racism and Bias on Black People Pursuing Careers in Science, Engineering, and Medicine

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2023Perceptions of the dental education‐wide climate: Analysis of the 2022 ADEA climate study focus groups

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