Announcing the Formation of the Diverse Dental Society

Three minority oral health professional organizations have united to establish the Diverse Dental Society (DDS). Established in April 2020, the DDS is a unique entity comprised of three respected and culturally diverse organizations: the Hispanic Dental Association, 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 interprofessional collaboration and considers the integration of oral health throughout the healthcare infrastructure as essential for a healthier nation. Its 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 DDS members. Additionally, DDS has provided insights about the impact of oral health and the importance of dental care during the pandemic. To support oral health awareness, DDS, with sponsorship from Colgate-Palmolive Company, created a Pandemic Oral Health Safety Video Contest.

Learn more about DDS at diversedentalsociety.org.