There is Room in Organized Dentistry For Diverse Individuals

There is Room in Organized Dentistry For Diverse Individuals

Ivan Vazquez, D.D.S.

Editor’s Note: In observing Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15), we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Hispanic-Americans who have inspired others to achieve success. Ivan Vazquez, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist from Shoreham, Suffolk County, shares how he became involved with organized dentistry and why he is passionate about ensuring that others get involved as well.

My dental experience started when I was a teenager and spoke to some of my parents’ friends and neighbors who were dentists. I realized how happy they were in a profession that enabled them to do so much to help other people.

I applied to dental school and was fortunate to have access to a federal incentive for minority students that allowed me to study at New York University College of Dentistry with a scholarship. Some of my fellow classmates from Puerto Rico received these scholarships as well, and several of them attended NYU on a full ride. We met the challenges of dental school together and forged lifelong friendships. I’m happy to say that as a group of students who came from another country and culture, learning in our second language, we always felt included and never out of place.

I continued my education in a hospital residency program and received my specialty degree in pediatric dentistry. After a few years as an associate, I decided to open my own practice. I met several other specialists in my area who encouraged me to get involved in organized dentistry. At the first couple of meetings of my local component, the Suffolk County Dental Society, I was reluctant to speak up and voice my opinion because I was the only Puerto Rican in the room. However, I found an amazing degree of acceptance by my colleagues who, in fact, encouraged me to join different committees and to bring my own point of view. I was told, if you do not speak up, you cannot make changes.

As I continued to make my voice heard, I was encouraged by many of the established members on the Board of Directors to join the ladder as treasurer. In 2017, I became the first Puerto Rican to be installed as president of Suffolk County. As president, I encouraged other minorities to get involved and, I hoped, to follow in my footsteps.

At the same time that I was rising at the component level, I became involved in other dental organizations. Together, with my good friend (and fellow Puerto Rican) Dr. Lauro Medrano, we started the Puerto Rico Dental Association, USA. Our group provides education, guidance and encouragement to Puerto Rican and other minority dentists locally. I have been president of the PRDA, USA for a number of years, and I continue to encourage our members to join organized dentistry and let their voices be heard. In addition, I was appointed and currently serve as a trustee of the Hispanic Dental Association.

I have participated at the state and national levels as a delegate and alternate delegate to the New York State Dental Association and American Dental Association houses. It has been an honor to serve in these positions and to work with my colleagues for the betterment of our profession. In 2021, I was appointed to chair NYSDA’s newly formed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force. I am proud of the strides we have made already and am excited to continue working with this passionate group of diverse individuals. We aim to encourage other minorities to get involved in organized dentistry and to ignite an interest in dentistry among young people.

I strongly believe that change is possible and that I am an example that it can be done. But you have to get involved in organized dentistry in order for your voice to be heard and to make a difference. We have to start speaking to and encouraging young people to pursue dental careers, reaching out especially to those in high school. If we wait until these students are in college, we will have lost them to other careers. Get involved and pursue your dreams. Let’s continue to be inclusive of everybody regardless of their background.

I am proud of my Taino Indian and Spanish roots. The fact that I am bilingual has helped me work in underserved neighborhoods and has enabled me to provide excellent dental care to children who might otherwise never have received it.

October Program to Focus on LGBTQ+ Community

Over the course of 2022-2023, the NYSDA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force will be hosting programs to engage members in the conversation. On Oct. 26, the task force will present “LGBTQ+ Care for the Dental Team.” It will share ways to increase awareness and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community; help dentists recognize common LGBTQ+ terms and definitions; learn about the medical, emotional and physical changes that transgender individuals go through so that you can better care for these patients; and discuss ways to become a better ally dentist. Register today.