Dentistry and Inclusion: Building Racial Equity
1
Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória/ES, Brasil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Dentistry in Brazil reflects historically constructed racial inequalities that impact the education, retention, and professional practice of black individuals, as well as the black population's access to quality oral healthcare services. [1,2] Affirmative policies have increased diversity in dentistry programs, but structural barriers that hinder racial equity in the field still persist. [3-5]
METHODS:
An integrative literature review was conducted using the SciELO, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases, covering publications from 2000 to 2024. Scientific articles, theses, dissertations, and official documents related to racial inequalities in dentistry, inclusion policies in higher education, and public management practices in oral health were selected. The analysis prioritized studies on racial quotas, mentorship programs, cultural competency training, and anti-racist practices.
RESULTS:
Affirmative policies have increased the enrollment of black students in dentistry programs, promoting academic diversity. However, challenges such as institutional racism, lack of support networks, covert discrimination, and barriers to professional advancement persist. Initiatives such as mentorship programs and culturally sensitive training have shown positive impacts on the retention and professional integration of black dentists. In public health management, anti-racist practices have strengthened access to oral healthcare for the black population, although issues such as underfunding, institutional resistance, and underreporting of racism cases continue to undermine the effectiveness of these actions. [1-5]
CONCLUSIONS:
Achieving racial equity in dentistry requires structural actions that go beyond access to higher education, including the assurance of professional advancement, the expansion of inclusion policies, and the consolidation of anti-racist practices in public management. Investing in mentorship, culturally sensitive training, and social participation is essential to address historical inequalities and promote a fairer and more inclusive dental practice.
Dentistry in Brazil reflects historically constructed racial inequalities that impact the education, retention, and professional practice of black individuals, as well as the black population's access to quality oral healthcare services. [1,2] Affirmative policies have increased diversity in dentistry programs, but structural barriers that hinder racial equity in the field still persist. [3-5]
METHODS:
An integrative literature review was conducted using the SciELO, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases, covering publications from 2000 to 2024. Scientific articles, theses, dissertations, and official documents related to racial inequalities in dentistry, inclusion policies in higher education, and public management practices in oral health were selected. The analysis prioritized studies on racial quotas, mentorship programs, cultural competency training, and anti-racist practices.
RESULTS:
Affirmative policies have increased the enrollment of black students in dentistry programs, promoting academic diversity. However, challenges such as institutional racism, lack of support networks, covert discrimination, and barriers to professional advancement persist. Initiatives such as mentorship programs and culturally sensitive training have shown positive impacts on the retention and professional integration of black dentists. In public health management, anti-racist practices have strengthened access to oral healthcare for the black population, although issues such as underfunding, institutional resistance, and underreporting of racism cases continue to undermine the effectiveness of these actions. [1-5]
CONCLUSIONS:
Achieving racial equity in dentistry requires structural actions that go beyond access to higher education, including the assurance of professional advancement, the expansion of inclusion policies, and the consolidation of anti-racist practices in public management. Investing in mentorship, culturally sensitive training, and social participation is essential to address historical inequalities and promote a fairer and more inclusive dental practice.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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