CareQuest partners dental journal to combat racism

USA: The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health and the Journal of Public Health Dentistry (JPHD) have joined hands to publish a special issue highlighting anti-racist solutions in the public dental space.

Titled “Antiracism in Dental Public Health: Engaging Science, Education, Policy, and Practice”, the special edition features 19 articles on anti-racism. The topics covered include: the effects of discrimination and anti-racist solutions for research, education, practice, advocacy, and workforce.

The editorial pieces are presented in a variety of formats from original research to commentaries; editorials to community action reports.

The CareQuest Institute held a roundtable discussion with some of the contributing authors on 28 July.

“In order to combat the structural racism that exists throughout our health care system, including in oral health, we must employ deliberate anti-racist practices,” said Michael Monopoli, DMD, MPH, MS, vice president for grant strategy at CareQuest Institute.

“CareQuest Institute is proud to have partnered with JPHD on this important effort and we hope that this special issue spurs action to promote more equity in the dental industry.”

Monopoli co-authored one of the action reports, “Undermining Racism: A Road to Promoting Equity in Oral Health.”

Said Frances Kim, DDS, MPH, DrPH, executive director of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry:

“AAPHD is committed to leading and supporting efforts to address oral health disparities that contribute to systemic racism.

“We hope that this issue will encourage the dental public health community — who are all part of the oral health community — to take action to address racism and more importantly, ensure that we continue moving towards anti-racist practices.”

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national not-for-profit organization that champions “a more equitable future” through work in grant-making, research, health improvement programs, policy and advocacy, and education as well as leadership in dental benefits and innovation advancements.

JPHD is published on behalf of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD).