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Review
. 2006 Dec;96(12):2093-7.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.082818. Epub 2006 Oct 31.

Addressing health care disparities and increasing workforce diversity: the next step for the dental, medical, and public health professions

Dennis A Mitchell  1 , Shana L Lassiter
Affiliations
Review

Addressing health care disparities and increasing workforce diversity: the next step for the dental, medical, and public health professions

Dennis A Mitchell et al. Am J Public Health. 2006 Dec.

Erratum in

  • Am J Public Health. 2007 Mar;97(3):393

Abstract

The racial/ethnic composition of our nation is projected to change drastically in the coming decades. It is therefore important that the health professions improve their efforts to provide culturally competent care to all patients. We reviewed literature concerning health care disparities and workforce diversity issues--particularly within the oral health field--and provide a synthesis of recommendations to address these issues. This review is highly relevant to both the medical and public health professions, because they are facing similar disparity and workforce issues. In addition, the recent establishment of relationships between oral health and certain systemic health conditions will elevate oral health promotion and disease prevention as important points of intervention in the quest to improve our nation's public health.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Light and Shadow by Jessica Keller. Source. http://www.serenityartistry.com.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Funding crisis in Title VII diversity programs.
    O'Neill PN, Strelnick AH. O'Neill PN, et al. Am J Public Health. 2007 Sep;97(9):1540. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.113985. Epub 2007 Jul 31. Am J Public Health. 2007. PMID: 17666683 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

References

    1. American Dental Education Association. Position paper: statement on the roles and responsibilities of academic dental institutions in improving the oral health status of all Americans. J Dent Educ. 2005;69:817–825. - PubMed
    1. US Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, US Census Bureau. Projected population of the United States, by race and Hispanic origin: 2000 to 2050. Available at: http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/usinterimproj/natprojtab01a.pdf. Accessed November 6, 2005.
    1. American Dental Association. Future of Dentistry. Chicago, Ill: American Dental Association, Health Policy Resources Center; 2002.
    1. Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, Md: US Dept of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; 2000.
    1. Missing Persons: Minorities in the Health Professions. Washington, DC: Sullivan Commission; 2004.

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