Racial and oral health equity in dental school curricula.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the current efforts to move dental school curriculum beyond diversity and inclusion toward an anti-racism approach to racial equity. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, an electronic Qualtrics survey was sent to 67 Dental School Associate Deans/Deans of Academic Affairs and 15 Dental Public Health (DPH) Residency Program Directors. Survey topics included oral health equity, Critical Race Theory (CRT), racism and the physiologic impacts of racism on oral health. Descriptive statistics were used to demonstrate frequencies. RESULTS: Overall response rate was 31.7% (DPH = 6, predoctoral Dental = 20). The majority of respondents that answered the question stated that the educational program offered instruction in oral health equity (96.2%), racism (75%), and the physiologic impacts of racism on oral health (83.3%). Only 17.4% of the respondents stated that the educational program offered instruction in CRT. The main barriers to providing the instruction was limited faculty trained in the topics to offer the instruction or there was limited time to offer additional content in the curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate that oral health equity, racism and the physiologic impacts of racism are being discussed in dental education to some extent, but there is limited instruction in CRT. More robust efforts are needed to ensure dental students and DPH residents are competent in providing anti-racist and unbiased health care; there should be an incorporation of anti-racism standards in the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)'s predoctoral and Advanced Education Program standards.

Differences in nativity, age and gender may impact health behavior and perspectives among Asian Indians.

OBJECTIVE: Identify health perspectives among Asian Indians in greater Houston area, to guide a tailored community wide survey. DESIGN: Four focus groups of different ages, gender, and nativity were conducted at which participants were asked for their opinions about specific health topics. Key informant interviews were conducted with ten community leaders to validate focus group responses. Recordings from focus groups and key informant interviews were transcribed and analyzed. RESULTS: Diabetes, cancer, and hypertension were primary health concerns. Common themes were sedentary lifestyle and poor health literacy. Older participants were more accepting of having familial hypertension and high cholesterol. Women were more concerned about health of family members and dietary habits. Perspectives differed on eating habits, physical activity, use of Western medicine, and smoking based on nativity. Responses from key informant interviews validated focus group findings. CONCLUSION: Perspectives on health may differ among Asian Indians depending on gender, age, and nativity.