A Crisis in Health Equity: Black Men Missing in Dentistry

Recorded On: 02/17/2023

In September 2022, ADEA released a special issue of its peer-reviewed journal, Journal of Dental Education, focusing entirely on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in dental education. One of the 23 articles tackled what many consider the proverbial elephant in the room: Where are the Black male dentists, dental students and dental educators? This webinar features the three authors of that article, “Illuminating light in the darkness: Black/African-American men in dental education and strategies for change.” The webinar will discuss the challenges surrounding the underrepresentation of Black/African American (BAA) men in dentistry and dental education and present a rationale for anti-racism strategies to address these challenges.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the importance of both mentorship and systems change to guide BAA men into and through dental careers.
Assess the need for more direct attention to how dental school humanistic environments support BAA men, commit human and financial resources for program development and use data-driven metrics to assess those programs longitudinally.
Discuss the promotion of oral health equity and its demands for more than simply appreciating BAA men’s contributions, but an actionable commitment to creating and advancing opportunities that ensure their success.

Original Release Date: Feb. 9, 2023

Expiration Date: Feb. 9, 2026

Questions? Contact learn@adea.org

Disclaimer

The purpose of this presentation is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional care and is not intended for use for the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this presentation express their own experience, opinions and conclusions. Guest statements do not express the viewpoint of ADEA. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity or therapy should not be construed as an ADEA endorsement.

CE Information

The American Dental Education Association is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

An evaluation form is available to participants after the conclusion of the live webinar. To earn continuing education (CE) credit for participation in the webinar, the online evaluation must be completed in full by Feb. 9, 2026. After completing the evaluation, webinar participants can print and save the CE Verification Form.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

The American Dental Education Association designates this activity for 1.50 continuing education credit.

All speakers agree that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.

Todd V. Ester, D.D.S., M.S.

University of Michigan School of Dentistry

Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics

Speaker agrees that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.

Carlos S. Smith, D.D.S., M.Div.

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry

Dr. Carlos Smith is the inaugural Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence, Ethics, and Community Engagement and an Associate Professor in the Department of Dental Public Health and Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. A national voice in dentaland health professions education, he is a member of the board of directors of the Academy for Professionalism in Health Care and currently serves as President-Elect of the American Society for Dental Ethics. An active ADEA member, he has served on the Collaborative on Dental Education Climate Assessment, which led the first ever dental education-wide climate stud. He has served as previous chair of the section on Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues, and was recently elected secretary of the section on Minority Affairs, Diversity and Inclusion. Also an ordained clergy, Smith completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Duke Medical Center, with emphasis on providing care and crisis management to families of cardiac pediatric patients. A sought after speaker, he has provided keynote and seminar presentations for the National Dental Association, ADA, American College of Dentists, ADEA, Virginia Health Catalyst, Virginia Dental Association, dental schools, hospital systems, and oral health advocacy groups. He has a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University and a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. He graduated from Hampton University, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and Duke Divinity School. His scholarly activity currently focuses on conceptualizing a reimagined professionalism inclusive of critical consciousness and identity, the history of racism in healthcare, inclusive excellence in dental education, and provider wellbeing and burnout. Dr. Smith continues as a general dentist within the VCU Dental Faculty Practice, is co-advisor to the VCU chapter of SNDA and supports the Aligned and Allied student group.

Speaker agrees that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.

Patrick D. Smith, D.M.D., M.P.H.

University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry

Assistant Professor in the Division of Prevention and Public Health Sciences

Speaker agrees that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.

Presentation Slides