RESILIENCE
FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION: WHITE FEMALES TACKLING RACISM IN ORAL HEALTHCARE
By Kristine Berry
“There are many kinds of power, used and unused, acknowledged or otherwise.” -Audre Lorde
T
he current dialogue surrounding women in dentistry often focuses on topics like which conventions to attend, how to support each other, how more dental school graduates are now female, and the ideal way to be a CEO. However, this has led some to question whether the “women’s movement” in dentistry only serves the narrow interests of certain classes of white women.
of oral healthcare as well as the United States. Therefore, as dental professionals, regardless of whether we work in clinical or non-clinical roles, we are responsible for acknowledging and openly discussing issues related to race and racism within the field.
Female oral healthcare associations and groups must be committed to inclusivity, ensuring their initiatives encompass all women, regardless of race or gender identity. Unfortunately, there have been instances where certain white female groups have predominantly focused on interpreting the oral healthcare industrial complex through the lens of historical white male attitudes, actions, and ways of being, leading to meetings and discussions that reinforce racist, sexist, patriarchal/matriarchal, and hierarchal beliefs, and behaviors. To genuinely support and center all voices, it is essential to recognize and address the challenges faced by individuals who do not conform to institutionalized dental norms, such as women of color and trans women.
• The current dialogue surrounding women in dentistry and addressing inclusivity and intersectionality ensures that all women, regardless of race or gender identity, are represented and supported. • The “White Supremacy (or White Superiority) Culture” framework to bring awareness to the deeply embedded norms and practices in professions and institutions that perpetuate white supremacy values and ways of thinking. • The benefits of participating in white affinity groups to engage in cultural awareness, recognize their power and privilege, promote allyship and advocacy, and actively discuss race and racism despite societal stigmatization. • The importance of assisting one another and actively confronting and dismantling oppressive systems in dentistry to create a more inclusive and belonging environment for all women.
While a comprehensive exploration of women’s history in oral healthcare goes beyond the scope of this article, it remains interconnected with the broader history of dentistry and all dental professions under the umbrella
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This article aims to explore:
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