ADEA CHAIR OF THE BOARD SYMPOSIUM
Monday, March 11 | 10:30 a.m. - noon
Crafting Pathways to Promote Access to Oral Health:
Education, Research and Health Care
In 2021, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research published the report, Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges. This report underscores the urgent need to address disparities arising from the intersectionality of social and systemic determinants of health, which pose both advances and challenges to health, particularly the nation’s oral health.
Over two decades prior, Surgeon General David Satcher released the pivotal report, Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, examining our nation’s oral health status, emphasizing its profound impact on overall health and well-being. This report also highlighted the vital role of dental education in establishing the infrastructure for oral, dental and craniofacial research.
Considering the historical significance of these two reports, and the central role of dental education in research and equitable access to oral health care, our panel aims to explore and propose innovative trends within each area. These trends will not only creatively advocate for increased access to education for the next generation of oral health care providers, but also revolutionize education to new heights and promote access to care for underserved populations.
This symposium’s goal is to create a dynamic and comprehensive event that explores various dimensions of promoting access to dental education, research and health care, ultimately fostering innovation and addressing the challenges highlighted in the referenced reports.
Learning Objectives:
- Examine the critical importance of creating pathways that promote access to oral health education, research and care.
- Illustrate how dental education and research can play a fundamental role in expanding access to health care for underserved populations.
- Articulate the impact of implementing emerging trends in higher education to advance oral health education.
- Explore the various roles and contributions of faculty in the establishment of innovative research pathways.
- Advocate creatively to provide opportunities for a diverse student population to access dental education.
- Explain the potential of telehealth in expanding access to dental care, particularly in underserved areas.
- Describe effective strategies for engaging communities and reaching underserved populations to promote oral health education and care.