In a significant step toward fostering inclusive and equitable oral health care, the American Institute of Dental Public Health will bring awareness of LGBTQIA+ and reaffirm its commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all patients through LGBTQIA+ Oral Health Week. The event takes place Oct. 16-20 to raise awareness about the unique oral health challenges faced by individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community. The week is an integral part of the AIDPH pledge to address the oral health disparities faced by LGBTQIA+ communities.
LGTQIA+ individuals have less access to dental care
Studies have shown that LGBTQIA+ individuals are less likely to have access to dental care, often due to concerns about discrimination or a lack of support from health care providers. Consequently, they are more likely to face oral health issues — including cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer — that can affect their overall well-being.
In one report, research found that LGBTQ+ individuals were 31% more likely than non-LGBTQ+ individuals to say their most recent dental visit was two or more years ago. Also, persons identifying as LGBTQ+ were 77% more likely to report they had visited an emergency department for dental care within the past year compared to those not identifying as LGBTQ+.
To help address these disparities, dentists across California can participate in various educational and outreach activities Oct. 16-20. Each day will feature a new theme with activities to elevate all community voices.
AIPDH's LGBTQIA+ pledge promotes equitable and affirming care
At the heart of this initiative is the AIDPH’s LGBTQIA+ pledge. The pledge calls on dental professionals to commit to providing equitable, culturally sensitive and affirming care to LGBTQIA+ patients. By signing the pledge, dentists promise to create an inclusive atmosphere in their practices, where all patients, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can receive the care they need without fear of discrimination or bias.
CDA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging policy reaffirms its commitment to combating barriers that permeate the health care system and other parts of society and lead to poor health outcomes for patients. In acknowledgement of the shared goal to provide equal and affirming care, CDA has signed AIDPH’s LGBTQIA+ pledge.
Equipping dentists and their teams for inclusivity
CDA is committed to supporting LGBTQIA+ inclusivity for patients and providers through legislative policy and our educational offerings.
CDA formally supported Senate Bill 372 (Menjivar), which passed into law in September 2023. This law requires the Dental Board of California and other boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs to update a licensee’s or permittee’s name when the person has changed their legal name or gender.
Last month, at CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry in San Jose, CDA hosted “LGBTQIA+ Issues Impacting Dentistry” with panelists Dr. Robert Frey, Alice Kessler, JD, and Robert Zhou, a student at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. They discussed a spectrum of professional and clinical issues impacting LGBTQIA+ dentists, team members and patients. Panelists discussed how office culture can impact a dentist’s or dental team member’s ability to feel safe and true to themselves.
The panelists recommended dentists take the following actions:
- Provide LGBTQIA+ cultural sensitivity training for dentists and practice team members.
- Educate themselves and their staff about LGBTQIA+ terminology, issues and concerns.
- Create a safe and affirming environment for all patients and practice team members.
- Use inclusive language and respect pronouns.
- Get involved in CDA and dental school leadership.
"We have to remember that we, dentists, are in a people profession,” Dr. Frey said. “We are here to serve various walks of life. Being able to participate on the CDA LGBTQ+ panel and share what I have been advocating for many years was such an honor. I am excited to see how organized dentistry will help facilitate talks from more diverse perspectives so that we can all better serve our communities.”
LGBTQIA+ resources for dentists and practice teams
Creating a welcoming and safe place for LGBTQIA+ patients begins with education and training. Here are some reputable resources to help you learn more about LGBTQIA+ oral health and better serve your LGBTQIA+ patients.
- CDA members can access a Confidential Health History form, available in English and Spanish, and an inclusive New Patient Information Collection guide that provides a comprehensive report of a patient’s health history.
- California Department of Public Health has resources about health issues that impact LGBTQ+ populations most often.
- The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research completed a policy brief to review gaps in health care access and health insurance among LGBTQI+ populations in California.
- The Health Resources & Services Administration and the CDC have resources and publications for clinicians and researchers to support LGBTQ+ health.
- National Institutes of Health shares a cross-sectional study that reports, among other findings, that 43% of LGBTQ+ patients reported feeling uncomfortable going to health care appointments.
- The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health report “Oral Health and the LGBTQ+ Community: A Snapshot of Disparities and Discrimination” provides research specific to disparity of care. The nonprofit also offers the course "Becoming an Ally: Creating an Inclusive Environment for LGBTQ+ Patients" for C.E. credit.
- Two universities offer courses and resources on LGBTQ+ communities and oral health care:
- University of Minnesota: a six-hour online course on providing care to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.
- University of Pennsylvania: recorded webinars and resource guides to advance effective communication, cultural competence and patient-and-family centered care for the LGBTQ+ community.
As California dentists come together to participate in LGBTQIA+ Oral Health Week and commit to the AIPDH's LGBTQ+ pledge , they are taking a significant step toward reducing barriers and ensuring that dental care is accessible, welcoming and safe for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. By doing so, they are promoting a more equitable and inclusive health care system for all Californians.