Sponsors
2018-19 Council on Professional Issues
Financial Impact
None
Background
The Council on Professional Issues (COPI) was tasked by the Governance Committee (GC) with reviewing ASDA’s E-4 Sensitivity to Diversity policy. The GC believed the policy to be timely and valuable due to the ever-changing dental student population, but lengthy and cumbersome.
COPI agreed the policy should be amended to more concise and efficient wording. COPI also agreed with GC’s recommendation that a section of E-4 could be a standalone policy. This proposed policy is reflected as 203-2019 Applicant Equity.
COPI believes the amended version of E-4 removes unnecessary language that previously distracted from the policy’s intent. No wording was removed that changes the scope or original purpose of the policy; therefore, be it
Resolution
Resolved, that ASDA’s Current Statements of Position or Policy ‘E-4 Sensitivity to Diversity (1993, revised 2002, 2014, 2017)’ be amended to read:
It is the position of t The American Student Dental Association that each believes dental schools should ensure assure that its all students, faculty, staff and administration are sensitive to the cultural diversity of their colleagues and patients. and changing demographics of today's dental students.
Care must be taken to ensure that the dental school provides a safe and humane environment for all students and all members of the dental team, both physically and psychologically. Sexist, discriminatory, or other similarly insensitive language and practices are totally unacceptable.
Faculty members should review their course content and styles to use inclusive language, to eliminate all potentially offensive language and graphics, and to present information in an objective manner which is sensitive to differences in gender, ethnicity, age, religion, politics, and physical abilities.
The American Student Dental Association ASDA defines diversity as: ‘differences and variations among and between individual characteristics, professional choices or demographics and professional choices, including, but not limited to:, race, religion, ethnic background, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identification and gender expression.’ ASDA recognizes the unique challenges faced by these diverse populations of students.
ASDA believes dental schools should provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students, faculty, staff and administration. Sexist, discriminatory or insensitive language and practices are unacceptable.
ASDA supports the recruitment of an applicant pool that represents the continually diverse population. ASDA encourages the appropriate dental school admissions agencies to give equal admissions consideration to undocumented students with intent to seek legal permanent status. ASDA supports the promotion of access to care for underserved diverse populations through legislative advocacy at the state and national levels. ASDA supports the development and enhancement of opportunities to create open communication regarding diversity among associations within organized dentistry.
ASDA supports and encourages the incorporation of diversity training and cultural competence as part of dental education. ASDA also encourages supports the recruitment and retention of diverse dental students and new dentists populations in organized dentistry.
ASDA supports reasonable academic accommodations for religious and cultural observances.
ASDA supports efforts to reduce barriers to care for diverse populations.