Guest post by Carmen Fields, DentaQuest Foundation Associate Director National Programs
Despite coming from
different backgrounds and experiences, it was clear the hundreds of attendees
at the Multicultural Oral
Health Summit
all shared a common vision: increased access to quality oral health services
and improvement of oral health for all.
The
first-ever joint convention of The Hispanic DentalAssociation
(HDA), National Dental Association (NDA) and Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID) took place
in sunny Boca Raton, Florida last month. I joined global health leaders,
corporate partners, community leaders, foundations and others from all over
the nation to discuss ways to “collectively meet the needs of a diverse
population to improve oral health.”
The
Summit began Friday (July 20) with a powerfully symbolic prayer by Dr. George
Blue Spruce, founder of the SAID, and a posting of Latin American Flags by two
dozen members of the HDA. The musical interludes during the opening program
were especially refreshing, featuring a flute player from the Seminole
Tribe of Florida
and a gospel ensemble from the area.
I attended the
Summit on behalf of the DentaQuest Foundation, which was recognized
during the Summit’s opening ceremony for its ongoing support of the three multicultural
dental organizations and for its commitment to improving oral health in
underserved and diverse populations. I was joined by Fay Donohue, DentaQuest CEO
and Foundation board member, who accepted the award. By collaborating with the
HDA, NDA and SAID, the Foundation continues to help promote public policy and
other initiatives to support optimal oral health for everyone.
The
Foundation sponsored the Summit’s two-part President’s Symposium. The first presentation
was rich and layered, with powerful presentations by University of Connecticut’s
Associate Clinical Professor Sarita Arteaga, Foundation board member and Oral
Health Alliance founder Caswell Evans, and Dr. Spruce. Dr. Joan Y. Reeve
of Harvard Medical School was a terrific moderator, who framed the meeting as a provocative
restating of the issues of health, focusing directly on dental care
disparities. DentaQuest Foundation President, Ralph Fuccillo facilitated a
presentation on how to improve oral health access. Take-away points from the
discussions will become the basis for future messaging and an eventual strategy
plan aimed to improve overall oral health care access.
While
I attended many of the events at the Summit, two events in particular were
unforgettable. At the Annual Women Dentists’ Awards Brunch (July 21), I had the
pleasure of sitting with the founder of this symposium event, Dr. Marie
Holliday of Dallas, TX, a Boston University and Tufts Dental School graduate.
The group was organized to address the needs and concerns of African American
female practitioners—and highlight and recognize their work. I also enjoyed The
Civil Rights Luncheon, held Monday (July 23), which paid tribute to individuals
who have fought for the civil rights and liberties of under-represented
Americans throughout history. Orrin D. Mitchell, DDS, who helped pioneer in the fight against racial discrimination when he sought
membership in the segregated Yacht club of Jacksonville, Fla. and Tom Joyner, whose
syndicated radio show has been encouraging
good health (and now hopefully oral health) practices were awarded Civil
Rights Awards. I was honored to be in the presence of so many distinguished leaders.
This
historical event changed my perspective and made me hopeful for the future of
oral health. Collectively, I have witnessed, that we can make a difference and
help create brighter smiles for people of all walks of life.