Limited, uneven progress in increasing racial and ethnic diversity of dental school graduates

Abstract

Purpose/objectives: To assess racial and ethnic diversity of graduates of each dental school compared to the diversity of populations they draw from and to assess changes over time nationally and by school. Methods: We calculated diversity of graduates by school and nationally between 2010-2012 and 2017-2019 using the Integrated Post-secondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and compared the diversity of each state's college age population using data from the American Community Survey. We accounted for differences between in-state and out-of-state students attending public and private schools based on data from the American Dental Association's Survey of Dental Education Series. A diversity index (DI) was calculated for each school. A DI of 0.5 means that the representation of Black or Hispanic individuals among the graduates is half of their representation in the benchmark population. Results: Among the 63 dental schools analyzed, only seven had a DI of greater than 0.5 for Black graduates (two of which were Historically Black Colleges and Universities) in 2017-2019. For Hispanic graduates, 20 schools had a DI above 0.5. Nationally, while the number of Black graduates increased between 2010-2012 and 2017-2019, the percentage decreased from 5.8% to 5.1%. The percentage of Hispanic graduates increased from 6.4% to 8.7%.Conclusions: Black and Hispanic individuals are underrepresented among dental school graduates. Increasing the diversity of the dental workforce could help address significant oral health disparities experienced by Black and Hispanic people. More needs to be done by the dental education community to increase racial and ethnic diversity of dental graduates.

Addressing Black men's oral health through community engaged research and workforce recruitment

“…The Sullivan Commission on Diversity in the Healthcare Workforce suggests that increasing racial representation with an interest in addressing oral health inequities in dental research, practice, and professional leadership may provide a critical mass to increase momentum towards change [50]. However, due to historical and persistent structural racism, that level of racial representation is not likely to occur [51,52]. Black men's life experiences, the social and environmental influences that determine their interest, motivation, and preparation for dental school are complex, and have implications for how Black men may perceive a dental career.…”

Illuminating light in the darkness: Black/African‐American men in dental education and strategies for change

“…One study showed that among the 63 dental schools analyzed, only seven had a diversity index of greater than 0.5 for Black graduates (two of which were HBCUs) in 2017-2019. 26 A diversity index of 0.5 indicates that the representation of Black or Hispanic individuals among the graduates is half of their representation in the benchmark population. This same study noted that while the number of Black graduates increased between 2010-2012 and 2017-2019, the percentage decreased from 5.8% to 5.1%.…”

“…While some dental schools have achieved such critical mass through deliberate and supportive senior leadership, specific recruitment and retention efforts, comprehensive climate initiatives, and resources for scholarship and faculty recruitment; BAA students are found to be concentrated in the same schools time and time again, while other schools struggle or lack the fortitude to alter their efforts and outcomes. One study showed that among the 63 dental schools analyzed, only seven had a diversity index of greater than 0.5 for Black graduates (two of which were HBCUs) in 2017–2019 26 . A diversity index of 0.5 indicates that the representation of Black or Hispanic individuals among the graduates is half of their representation in the benchmark population.…”

Ethnic diversity in academic dentistry in the United Kingdom

“…Thus far, we have focused on the data drawn from the United Kingdom academic sector and the subsequent responses in the literature. A similar debate is underway in the United States of America [29][30][31] where routinely collected data about the demographics of dental academics is publicly available through the American Dental Education Association. 32 This has led to the creation of a faculty diversity toolkit.…”