Race: Changing numbers in the state
If it seems like the numbers of minority dentists and women are exploding in the dental field…well, they are. The racial and ethnic diversity of Washington’s dental workforce has been increasing over time. Tracking race is getting more difficult, because more people now identify as being biracial. As Dr. Ferguson said, “I’m Scottish, African and Native American – should I go for one or the other? There's a saying in the African community, ‘If you have one drop of African blood, then you are African,’ Of course that’s not true. If you ask me what my culture is, I would say American, because my experience has not been all that different than that of the average American.” Yearly cohorts of newly-licensed dentists are making Washington’s overall workforce more diverse. While the current overall workforce is 75.3% White, 19.8% Asian, 2.0% Hispanic, 1.7% Black, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 0.8% other unidentified groups, the 2011 cohort of newlylicensed dentists was 56.7% White, 31.7% Asian, 5.0% Hispanic, 3.3% Black, and 3.4% other groups — showing a decrease in the number of newly-licensed White dentists, and an increase in all other ethnicities. An increasing number of women are becoming licensed dentists in Washington. While the overall percentage of females in the workforce is 25%, the percentage of newly-licensed female dentists has been higher in recent years, up to a high point of 41% for the 2011 cohort of newly-licensed dentists. The UWSod shared some recent data on race with us: Class of 2013 African American........... 2 Asian.......................... 15 Caucasian................... 45 Hispanic...................... 3 More than one race....... 2 TOTAL......................... 67 Class of 2014 Asian.......................... 22 Caucasian................... 39 Hispanic...................... 3 More than one race....... 3 TOTAL......................... 67 Class of 2015 African American........... 1 Asian.......................... 13 Caucasian................... 47 Hispanic...................... 1 More than one race....... 6 TOTAL......................... 68
Class of 2016 Asian.......................... 18 Caucasian................... 42 Hispanic...................... 1 More than one race....... 6 TOTAL......................... 67 Class of 2017 Asian.......................... 20 Caucasian................... 38 Hispanic...................... 1 More than one race....... 5 TOTAL......................... 64
Enhance Your Leadership Potential, apply for the Institute for Diversity in Leadership
Established in 2003 by the ADA, the goal of the Institute is to provide a diverse group of dentists with education and experience so that they can set new leadership paths within the profession and their communities. Promising leaders of racial, ethnic and/or gender groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in leadership are encouraged to apply for this extraordinary educational experience. The class of 2014-15 will convene for three sessions held at ADA Headquarters in Chicago on the following dates: September 4-5, 2014; December 8-9, 2014 and September 10-11, 2015
Apply today
To apply, submit the completed Candidate Application Form (http://www.ada.org/sections/newsAndEvents/pdfs/ADA_2014_ IDL_Candidate_Application_Form.pdf) and arrange for two references to complete and submit the Candidate Reference Form (http://www.ada.org/sections/newsAndEvents/pdfs/ADA_2014_ IDL_Candidate_Reference_Form.pdf) on your behalf by April 30, 2014. We regret that the ADA cannot be responsible for or accept incomplete or late applications. Participation is open to active, licensed dentists, residing in the U.S. ADA members are encouraged to apply, but ADA membership is not required for participation in the Institute. Ideal candidates will have demonstrated leadership potential within dental associations or their communities. For more information, visit http://www.ada.org/5402.aspx If you have questions, please contact the ADA at 312.440.2598 or gingrichk@ada.org.
institute for diversity
th e wsda ne w s · issue 5, april · 2014 · www.wsda.org · 13
cover stor y apply for the ada institute for diversity in leadership
by the numbers