Since her appointment in April 2021 as the program manager for workforce diversity and inclusion for Delta Dental Washington, Lolinda Turner has been working to address the lack of diversity among dental professionals and inequities in dental care, according to a Feb. 10 report from The Suburban Times.
Ms. Turner's work includes hosting listening sessions to gain a better understanding of disparities in dentistry, partnering with women's shelters and nonprofit educational programs, and expanding dental programs' reach.
One method she has employed to address diversity and inequity issues is to introduce more youth to the profession. She has recommended an "Introduction to Dentistry" program to school districts in the state.
"While many of our [Black, Indigenous, and people of color] youth may be interested in dentistry, they do not see others who represent them, so they don't pursue it," Ms. Turner said. "By making connections and creating mentorships between our youth and current BIPOC dental professionals, the students feel supported and pointed in the right direction."