The Hispanic Dental Association, National Dental Association, and Society of American Indian Dentists have joined together to leverage their collective impact to eliminate disparities in oral health care.
Three minority oral health professional organizations have joined to form the Diverse Dental Society (DDS): the Hispanic Dental Association, the National Dental Association, and the Society of American Indian Dentists. In collaborating under the DDS umbrella, the groups seek to address unmet needs in under resourced communities and leverage their collective impact to eliminate disparities and increase health and oral health equity.
According to a press release from DDS, it focuses on inter-professional collaboration and considers the integration of oral health throughout the healthcare infrastructure as essential for a healthier nation. The DDS manifesto reportedly includes language which calls for the dismantling of structural racism and advocating for social justice in the health of traditionally disenfranchised populations.
Given the pandemic and its disparate impact on populations served by DDS members, DDS is currently focusing on bringing awareness to the impact of oral health and the importance of dental care during the pandemic. Through a sponsorship from Colgate-Palmolive Co, DDS currently is running a contest, Pandemic Oral Health Safety Video Contest. Winners will be announced soon.
“With the Colgate brand in more homes than any other, we can, and we will create a healthier, cavity-free future for all. That is why we support the vision and mission of the DDS and its noble efforts to provide minority health professionals with a platform for addressing the oral healthcare needs of vulnerable communities throughout the US,” stated Dr Marsha Butler, vice president, Global Oral Health and Professional Relations, Colgate-Palmolive.
“We believe in and advocate for oral health access, equity and education in marginalized communities,” says Dr Anna Munné, president of the Diverse Dental Society, “That said, we are an inclusive organization and encourage membership of all dental professionals, regardless of race, color, creed or national origin. The DDS is for everyone committed to social justice in health.”
