profile hispanic dental association president dr. tyrone rodriguez
ing him to excel, but have a more holistic, altruistic approach to education. “I wanted to make things better and get an education,” he explains. It was that desire to make things better that led Rodriguez to become student body president at University of Texas Health Science Center, serving almost 20,000 health professional students, and to found the Greater Houston Hispanic Dental Association — taking a leadership role even as a student. “Students have great power when it comes to molding a profession,” he says, “They just don’t know it.” Later, during his pediatric dentistry residency, Rodriguez again rolled up his sleeves and helped found the San Antonio chapter of the HDA— with an eye toward inclusivity that had worked so well in Houston.
Making inclusion work on a broader scale through ongoing partnerships
While he’s always appreciated the ADA, Rodriguez notes that the profession as a whole tends to be homogenous, and can leave minority members feeling disenfranchised, saying “If you look at the acceptance rates and the membership numbers it’s rarely a true reflection of the communities we live in and that can be frustrating. That’s why so many of us pour our energy into our cultural Associations — there are often too many limitations within the ADA’s structure and governance.” In an effort to forge even stronger alliances, Rodriguez and his colleagues over at the National Dental Association (NDA) and the Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID) entered into a partnership, combining their annual meetings together for the first time last year to create awareness at the Multicultural Oral Health Summit. It was a historic meeting, and one that all three groups are eager to reprise — as each group represents a growing population in the country with needs as diverse as their membership. Rodriguez says, “Let’s face it, we represent big communities — 52 million in the Hispanic community alone — one of six living in the U.S. today identify as Hispanic, and we need to determine the needs of all of our minority communities when it comes to oral health. We must have
providers who are culturally sensitive, who understand that research and data are necessary to evaluate distinct, cultural needs — for the health of our profession and that of our communities.”
The Hispanic perspective
But what is it that is so specific to the Hispanic Culture? “Like so many, the Hispanic community is centered in family,” says Rodriguez. “But in many other cultures, once you reach a certain age, it is time to leave the nest. In the Hispanic culture, the tendency is the opposite — the nest just gets bigger.” That means that when a patient from a Hispanic family is scheduled, if there is any uncertainty or fear about the appointment, the entire family will show up. Not just the mother and father of the patient, but aunts, uncles and grandparents, and other extended relatives — toda la familia — will be present at the practice to face the challenge. Rodriguez also cites the belief by some in the Hispanic community of old wives tales about oral health that persist — “There was a joint study by Proctor & Gamble and the Hispanic Dental Association Foundation which indicated that some Hispanics still believed that cavities could simply be brushed away, and other cultural misconceptions. So the Hispanic dental professional has different needs for both the patient and professional communities.” But the nuances between cultural factions can be hard to discern, and Rodriguez serves as a clearinghouse of information for dental colleagues trying to navigate the cultural waters. “A lot of friends of mine who aren’t Hispanic call me for clarity,” he says, “And I value them as providers because they are taking the time to try and serve their patient populations more effectively. We try to problem solve because my goal is to get as many folks in the Hispanic community into a dental office — it doesn’t have to be mine. I just want them to be healthy, and not have to suffer the ill effects and consequences of poor oral health. Especially Hispanics, who are disproportionately impacted by diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and their links to oral health.” In the dental profession, other nuances exist — Rodriguez continues,
“Many of the Hispanic dental professionals don’t appreciate higher levels of organized dentistry.” Rodriguez sees it as his mission to change that, by proselytizing that legislation enacted by well intentioned, but misinformed lawmakers can inadvertently affect dentistry adversely. He says, “When I tell people if they’re not involved in grassroots dentistry, others will make decisions for them, they often see the value in joining. I feel like they wouldn’t have joined without my recruitment efforts, and helping them to understand that membership and being involved in organized dentistry is something that is essential and vital to the preservation of our profession.”
Goals for the future
“I’ve always valued the role and importance of organized dentistry, no matter what association I’ve been a member of, and I am a member of many,” Rodriguez says. And while he credits an efficient hierarchy and chain of command at HDA as one of the reasons for his fast ascent to the presidency from thirteen years ago when he was the first national student trustee, he’s gotten where he is today because of his commitment, drive and energy — not only to the Hispanic community, but to the broader dental community as well. “There is a generational gap between the main body of the impacted or affected membership and the leadership, a disconnect. I’d like to help change that. Membership is an important aspect of organized dentistry because it creates solidarity and adaptability; good membership allows the leadership to make the right choices of the proximity to the front lines.” Additionally, Rodriguez sees how Washington’s progressive dental practice act empowers additional members of the workforce to care for the underserved, while safeguarding the doctor-patient relationship. Rodriguez feels so passionately about access to care and utilization of care that he created the acronym S.E.A.L. (Service, Education, Advocacy and Leadership) for the HDA. With his drive and commitment, we’re sure he will accomplish all of his goals and many others — we congratulate and applaud you, Dr. Rodriguez!
Photograph by Samantha Deyette
1 0 · th e wsda ne w s · issue 1, october · 2013 · www.wsda.org