Policy on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Policy statement

The AAPD acknowledges and celebrates the increasing diversity of children, including their racial and ethnic backgrounds, national origin and citizenship, languages spoken, religious beliefs, abilities, gender and sexual identities, and cultural norms. Additionally, the AAPD welcomes greater diversity within the profession and appreciates the personal experiences, skills, and knowledge possessed by each of its individual members. The AAPD supports broader inclusivity in leadership, membership, education, and practice and deeper engagement with communities to promote necessary collaboration, respect, and dignity for all children and families. Programs, initiatives, and policies that address and overcome social barriers, including racism and other forms of discrimination, are necessary to achieve greater health equity and the AAPD’s vision of optimal oral health for children.

Recognizing the importance of DEI to pediatric dentistry, the AAPD:

• supports social and economic policies, research, and initiatives to address social determinants of oral health that result in racial and ethnic oral inequities.
• encourages providers to implement DEI training within the dental office.
• urges dental educators to implement strategies to mitigate bias in applicant and trainee evaluation processes and to enhance institutional DEI curricula.