Diverse Dental Society Made Up of 3 Minority Oral Health Professional Groups

With a healthier nation and improved oral health equity among their goals, the Diverse Dental Society (DDS) is a unique entity comprised of 3 universally respected and culturally diverse organizations: the Hispanic Dental Association, the National Dental Association, and the Society of American Indian Dentists. These groups celebrate their rich and diverse cultures and share a common mission to address unmet needs in under-resourced communities and leverage their collective impact to eliminate disparities and increase health and oral health equity.

DDS promotes inter-professional collaboration and considers the integration of oral health throughout the healthcare infrastructure as essential for a healthier nation. Their manifesto includes dismantling structural racism and advocating for social justice in the health of traditionally disenfranchised populations.

These difficult times have amplified health disparities and underlying conditions in racial and ethnic minorities, populations served by the DDS members. Additionally, DDS has provided insights about the impact of oral health and the importance of dental care during the pandemic. To support their mission to support oral health awareness, DDS, with sponsorship by Colgate-Palmolive Company, created a Pandemic Oral Health Safety Video Contest, and the winners will be announced soon.

Dr. Anna Munné, President of the Diverse Dental Society, says the group believes in and advocates for oral health access, equity and education in marginalized communities, but adds, “we are an inclusive organization and encourage membership of all dental professionals, regardless of race, color, creed or national origin. The DDS is for everyone committed to social justice in health.”

For more information on the DDS, visit diversedentalsociety.org.