PUBLICATION
Queer Inclusion and Belonging in Dental Education
LGBTQIA+ communities report higher rates of unmet dental needs, discriminatory experiences, and lower rates of insurance coverage when compared to their cisgender, heterosexual peers. Dental providers may lack the cultural humility or clinical preparedness to meet the specific needs of queer patients, particularly around clinical issues like hormone therapy, trauma-informed care, or social impacts of discrimination. The lack of LGBTQIA+ inclusion in dental education not only affects clinical competence but also the educational climate for LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff. To address the gaps in evaluating queer inclusion and belonging in dental education, AIDPH conducted a three-part study culminating in a set of strategic recommendations for dental education institutions. First, an environmental scan was completed as an exploratory analysis of curriculum, visible support, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Next, a survey was disseminated to a selection of dental school sites to evaluate perceptions of queer inclusion within educational environments, clinical care delivery, and educational curriculum. Finally, a series of focus groups were conducted to add qualitative insights from students, faculty, and staff in regard to queer oral health in dental training and support for queer students and faculty within their respective institutions. This approach leveraged several data collection mechanisms with the intention of generating a holistic understanding of the current environment for queer people in relation to dental education and the future dental workforce.
Key Findings:
DEI resources and support were less common within dental schools for students, staff, or faculty. Even fewer dental schools had LGBTQIA+ programming that was specific to oral health or dentistry among publicly available sources.
LGBTQIA+/queer health topics were perceived as underrepresented in dental education curricula. Results suggested minimal coverage of queer oral health content across institutions, with no significant differences between students and faculty/staff perceptions.
Students reported feeling unprepared to treat the unique oral health needs of LGBTQIA+ patients due to the lack of scenarios, role-play opportunities, or explicit instruction related to gender identity, sexual orientation, and affirming communication practices in clinical settings.
Suggested Citation: The American Institute of Dental Public Health. Queer Inclusion and Belonging in Dental Education: An Overview of Outcomes and Strategic Recommendations. Chicago, IL. July 2025. https://doi.org/10.58677/CVDX7570
