Brief overview: CDA is a sponsor of the American Institute of Dental Public Health’s LGBTQIA+ Oral Health Week, October 21-25. Dentists: Learn about LGBTQIA+ oral health disparities and access resources to help promote inclusive practice.
The American Institute of Dental Public Health recognizes the challenges of the LGBTQIA+ community and reaffirms its commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all patients. LGBTQIA+ Oral Health Week. The theme for 2024 is “Pride of Knowledge: Transforming LGBTQIA+ Oral Health through Education.”
The event will be held from October 21-25 and is an integral part of AIDPH’s commitment to address the oral health disparities faced by the LGBTQIA+ community.
LGTQIA+ people have less access to dental care
According to research, We know that LGBTQIA+ people are less likely to receive dental care, often due to concerns about discrimination and lack of support from health care providers. As a result, they are more likely to experience oral health issues that can affect their overall health, such as cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer.
What we found in a survey conducted by CareQuest We found that LGBTQ+ people are 31% more likely than non-LGBTQ+ people to say their last visit to the dentist was more than two years ago. Additionally, people who identified as LGBTQ+ were 77% more likely to report visiting an emergency department for dental care within the past year than those who did not identify as LGBTQ+.
To address these disparities, dentists across California will be able to participate in a variety of educational and advocacy activities from October 21st to 25th. Each day will feature a new theme and activities to elevate the voices of all communities. This year, CDA is sponsoring Wednesday’s theme, “Building an Inclusive Practice: Continuing Education for Dental Professionals.” For more information about creating an LGBTQIA+ inclusive environment, please visit access of A comprehensive interaction toolkit.
Dental professionals can sign the LGBTQIA+ pledge
At the heart of this effort is AIDPH. LGBTQIA+ Pledge. The pledge asks dental professionals to commit to providing equitable, culturally sensitive, and affirming care to LGBTQIA+ patients. by sign the pledgeDentists are committed to creating an inclusive atmosphere in their practice where all patients, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can receive the care they need without fear of discrimination or prejudice.
CDA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Policy reaffirms CDA’s commitment to combating barriers that permeate the health system and other parts of society and lead to poor patient health outcomes. . Recognizing our shared goal of providing equal and affirming care, CDA has signed AIDPH’s LGBTQIA+ Pledge.
CDA advocates for LGBTQIA+ inclusivity in policy and education
CDA is committed to supporting LGBTQIA+ inclusivity for patients and healthcare providers through legislative policy and educational services.
In 2024, CDA formally supported Assembly Bill 3031 (Lee), which would establish an LGBTQ+ commission in California. Although the bill was vetoed, CDA’s support for the committee will develop comprehensive policies and effectively utilize resources to combat disparities, including oral health disparities, in the LGBTQIA+ population. It helped inform the state about the method.
CDA is also officially supported Senate Bill 372 (Menjivar)which was signed into law in September 2023 and requires the California Board of Dentistry and other boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs to change the legal name or gender of a licensee or permittee. The name must be updated if the name is changed.
CDA is committed to continuing education that supports culturally responsive providers in building inclusive practices. CDA’s 2023 live course “LGBTQIA+ Issues Affecting Dentistry” will include panelists Robert Frey, Ph.D., Alice Kessler, J.D., and Robert Chou, a student at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoney School of Dentistry. I participated. They discussed a variety of professional and clinical issues that impact LGBTQIA+ dentists, team members, and patients. Panelists discussed how office culture can impact a dentist or dental team member’s ability to feel safe and true to themselves.
Panelists recommended that dentists take the following steps:
- Provide LGBTQIA+ cultural sensitivity training to dentists and practice team members.
- Educate yourself and your staff about LGBTQIA+ terminology, issues, and concerns.
- Creates a safe and positive environment for all patients and practice team members.
- Use inclusive language and respect pronouns.
- Join CDA and the School of Dentistry leadership.
“As dentists, we must remember that we are a people-based profession,” Dr. Frey said. It was an honor to join the CDA LGBTQ+ panel and share what I have been advocating for for years. I look forward to seeing how organized dentistry can help foster dialogue from more diverse perspectives so that we can all contribute more to our communities. ”
LGBTQIA+ resources for dentists and practice teams
Creating a welcoming and safe space for LGBTQIA+ patients requires education and training. Here are some trusted resources to help you learn more about LGBTQIA+ oral health and better serve your LGBTQIA+ patients.
Dentists from California gather together LGBTQIA+ Oral Health Week and, AIPDH’s LGBTQIA+ Pledgethey are taking important steps to reduce barriers and ensure dental care is accessible, welcoming, and safe for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. In doing so, we are promoting a more equitable and inclusive health care system for all Californians.
