Resident Meharry Medical College Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Disclosure(s):
Matthew Moore, DMD: No financial relationships to disclose
Abstract:
Background: Developing and training providers that reflect the diverse population of today, has the potential to limit health disparities. Studies suggest that those of underrepresented backgrounds are more likely to seek providers of similar background, resulting in reduction of health disparities. This provides a unique opportunity for the development and training of qualified providers of underrepresented backgrounds that may serve in a capacity to limit health disparities. Our purpose of this study is to review the racial and gender breakdown of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residents within the United States (US) and compare these numbers to the racial and gender breakdown within the US population. Also comparing the numbers to our Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) and Plastic Surgery colleagues. We hypothesize that there will be a significant disparity among OMS residents in the United States, regarding racial backgrounds and women, resulting in both being highly underrepresented. Materials and
Methods: Raw data was analyzed from American Dental Association based on data submitted by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons on behalf of CODA. Data from Association of American Medical Colleges was referenced, along with the US Census. Data was compared to Aziz study from 2010 to note progress.
Results: The number of African Americans (AAs) and Hispanic OMS residents in the US to not reflect the population compared to counterparts. Hispanic residents along with women, showed increase over time. The number of AAs residents did not achieve higher than 1% increase. The number of white residents decreased, due to a growing number of other races. Compared to ENT and Plastic surgery residents, there is still work to be done.
Conclusion: The racial and gender demographic among American OMS residents does not represent the growing racial or gender demographic of the United States. OMSs play a unique role in the bridge between medicine and dentistry. Since the focus of women in OMS, the number of women OMS residents has grown significantly in a short period of time. This provides a great opportunity to develop and train providers of underrepresented backgrounds, that may help reduce health disparities throughout the US.
