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Dennis A. Mitchell, DDS, MPH

Columbia School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, New York, NY

The racial/ethnic composition of the health professions workforce, including the dental workforce, fails miserably to reflect the increasing diversity of the US population. Recent data published by the Sullivan Commission on Diversity in the Healthcare Workforce indicate that African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and American Indians collectively constitute approximately 25% of the US population, yet they represent only 5% of dentists and 9% of dental school faculty members. A look at the racial/ethnic composition of the nation’s dental schools indicates that this disparity will persist in the near future. In 2000/2001, African American, Hispanic, and American Indian students constituted only 4.8 %, 5.3%, and 0.64%, respectively, of the predoctoral dental school class.

The discrepancy between minorities’ representation in the general population and their representation in the oral health workforce is a challenging issue in its own right. In addition, this discrepancy contributes to the documented substandard health care received by impoverished populations and racial/ethnic minorities. In 2000, Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General (http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/oralhealth) highlighted the fact that approximately 25 million individuals reside in health professional shortage areas and have limited access to quality health care. Members of racial/ethnic minority groups represent a disproportionate number of these 25 million individuals and therefore are unduly affected by the emotional, financial, and physical consequences of poor oral health.

A report by the Institute of Medicine, Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care (http://books.nap.edu/books/030908265X/html), illustrated that patients of color who bear the brunt of poor oral health receive a lower quality of care and are less likely to receive routine care than their White counterparts. One factor contributing to the quality of patient care is the patient–provider relationship. With fewer underrepresented minorities in the workforce and inadequate training of health professionals in cross-cultural issues, patients who receive the poorest care are the least likely to find a provider who is willing and able to effectively address their needs.

Although research shows that health professionals who identify as racial/ethnic minorities are more likely to serve in areas of need, diversification is not solely a minority concern or responsibility. Increasing diversity in the classroom and the workforce will have a positive impact on the nation’s health as a whole and thus is a national imperative. While underrepresented-minority faculty members and health care providers are obvious candidates to spearhead this mission, the current disparities will not be properly addressed without the commitment of all professionals.

Over the past 40 years, steps have been made toward addressing diversity in the health professions. Recommendations for further actions at the policy, institutional, and provider levels include financial restructuring of health care systems, changes to admissions procedures for medical and dental schools, and continuing education in cross-cultural issues for current health care providers. With these recommendations in hand, we as oral health professionals need to work in concert with policymakers and other health professionals to increase minority representation in the health care workforce and reduce disparities in the quality of oral health care received by racial/ethnic minority and economically disadvantaged patients. As we look to the future, which will likely be marked by the lack of a distinct racial/ethnic majority group, we must all commit, individually and collectively, to diversifying the health professions in general and the oral health care workforce in particular.

This Article Extract Full Text (PDF) Submit a response View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mitchell, D. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Mitchell, D. A. Related Collections Dental/Oral Health Access to Care Quality of Care Other Race/Ethnicity