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How to be an ally

BDJ Student volume 31, pages 22–24 (2024)Cite this article

The beauty of being human lies in our differences. As dentists, we are privileged to be at the forefront of treating people from different backgrounds, races, religions and cultures, undefined by the same pronouns or language. But this privilege carries great responsibility. Our profession deems us competent to provide dental treatment but this isn't just an extraction or a filling. This includes the responsibility of treating everyone fairly and equally. It's up to us to change the landscape and ensure our colleagues and the wider community do not face any discrimination or prejudices. But understandably, this responsibility comes with pressure. With ‘cancel culture' prominent, many don't know when to speak out. Riddled with misinformation, overthinking and unconscious biases, unfortunately silence becomes our deemed appropriate solution. Unlike baking a cake, there is no easy recipe to success regarding equality, discrimination and inclusivity. But there are steps we can take. How do I ensure I am an ally to everyone? What's an unconscious bias? What's it even got to do with me?

According to the GDC registration statistical report, as of 31 December 2022, only 2% of dentists were Black, Black British, Caribbean or African. Out of a total of 44,125 registered dentists there are only 780 Black dentists on the GDC register, making up 1.7% of our total workforce.1 It conveys presently, there is still significant under-representation and disparity in the number of Black dental students represented in the UK.

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References

  1. General Dental Council. Registration Statistical Report 2022. Available online at: www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/annual-reports/gdc_registration-statistical-report-22-23-v3_a.pdf (accessed 26 Nov. 2023).

  2. Patel N, Patel S, Cotti E, Bardini G and Mannocci F. Unconscious Racial Bias May Affect Dentists' Clinical Decisions on Tooth Restorability: A Randomised Clinical Trial. JDR Clin Trans Res 2018; 4: 19-28.

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  1. University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom

    Hira Chaudhry

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  1. Hira Chaudhry
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Correspondence to Hira Chaudhry.

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Chaudhry, H. How to be an ally. BDJ Student 31, 22–24 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-024-1351-5

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