Alexandria, VA, USA – A Symposium exploring racism in the oral health space was presented at the 102nd General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the 48th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, on March 13-16, 2024, in New Orleans, LA, USA.
Driving forward health equity for all is the ultimate goal of clinical care and research but requires active effort and thought. Many policies and practices either maintain the status quo or continue to perpetuate health inequities on the basis of race. Therefore, identifying and changing racist and colonist policies are necessary to actively dismantle racism within the oral health space.
This symposium was intended for trainees of all types and focused on offering participants a background on health disparities and the practices that continue to ensure their existence. Topics addressed included (i) the current state of health disparities and the racist policies that contribute to this, (ii) the meaning of anti-racism in the context of clinical care, academia, research, and policy, and (iii) what steps can be taken to facilitate equity. Featured panelists included champions in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives, public health dentists committed to racial health equity, and leaders within the anti-racist research space. Following an introduction to key terms and the current state of oral health research, care, and policy, discussions tooks place about the ways attendees can work toward encouraging health equity. The symposia closed with a Q&A session in which open dialogue between the attendees and panelists was meant to inspire anti-racist action.
Organized by Hope Amm, Maryam Baldawi, Rachel Kulchar, and Jeremie Oliver Piña, the Symposium, “Approaching Research, Policy, and Clinical Care with an Anti-Racist Agenda” took place on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 8 a.m. Central Standard Time (UTC-6).
About IADR
The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research for health and well-being worldwide. IADR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. Learn more at www.iadr.org.
About AADOCR
The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research to advance health and well-being. AADOCR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. AADOCR is the largest division of IADR. Learn more at www.aadocr.org.