At Heartland Dental, our mission is clear: we stand shoulder to shoulder with supported doctors and their teams to deliver the highest quality dental care and experiences to the communities we serve.
And we firmly believe that nurturing diversity within our community is not just beneficial but essential to achieving this mission. Our unwavering commitment is to cultivate an environment where every individual, regardless of their background or ethnicity, is not just welcomed but feels valued, respected, and truly included.
Employee-Led Communities: Catalysts for Inclusivity
Rooted in our core values of Execute, Honor, Achieve, Collaborate, Balance, and Celebrate, we translate these principles into action every day. Collaboration, in particular, is at the heart of our organization. We work diligently, intelligently, and hand in hand, always championing diversity and inclusion. As the years have passed, our dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) has also evolved and expanded.
One striking embodiment of this commitment is the establishment of our Employee-Led Communities (ELCs). These communities serve as vibrant platforms, where our supported doctors and team members come together to celebrate cultural diversity, engage in continuous professional development, and contribute innovative ideas to enhance our workplace.
Presently, we are proud to have six thriving ELCs: the Black Employee Network, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Hispanic/Latin Comunidad, Veterans Employee Community, Women in Dentistry, and Asian and Pacific Islander Connection. These groups are open to any Heartland Dental supported doctor or team member who wishes to join, and their collective strength has grown to over 600 members.
The Black Employee Network: Leading the Way
The Black Employee Network, a beacon of our commitment, has grown to over 98 members who actively contribute to our shared vision of diversity and inclusion. This community fosters a culture that not only acknowledges but actively embraces the richness of Black culture within our organization.
For example, the Black Employee Network held a panel discussion on the various ways that identity impacts how we all show up for the workplace in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday in January. The group embraces people from across the Black diaspora, including immigrants and people with recent ancestry from the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. Future events will discuss the legacy of Black dental trailblazers, as well as mark the Juneteenth holiday.
Heartland Dental recognizes the historical challenges faced by Black Americans in the field of dentistry. Dating back to 1901, Dr. D.A. Ferguson founded the National Association of Colored Dentists, paving the way for recognition and advocacy for Black dentists. Although the prohibition against Black membership in the American Dental Association (ADA) ended in 1965, Black representation in dentistry remains disproportionately low. Despite comprising 12.4% of the U.S. population, only 3.8% of dentists and 6.7% of dental students are Black.
Acknowledging this demographic reality, Heartland Dental is committed to making dentistry a welcoming industry for Black healthcare providers. Our Black Employee Network plays a crucial role in connecting Black team members, supported doctors, and allies to opportunities for networking, professional development, and the celebration of Black culture. By fostering an inclusive environment, we aim to contribute to a shift in the representation of Black professionals in the dental field.
Building an Inclusive Future
As part of our multifaceted DE&I initiatives, Heartland Dental is enhancing training programs for recruitment, hiring, and ongoing education. Our three-part recruiter training program evaluates our efforts and identifies opportunities to deepen partnerships with a diverse range of colleges and universities. Additionally, company-wide training is being updated to help all employees understand and mitigate unconscious bias in the workplace.
Our DEI Vision and Mission are clear: we strive to build a world-class, inclusive culture within Heartland Dental and the field of dentistry. We are on a journey to create an environment where everyone, regardless of background, feels safe, valued, respected, and included in all aspects of their identity.
Heartland Dental's journey towards diversity, equity, and inclusion is guided by a powerful vision and unwavering commitment. Through our Employee-Led Communities, we not only celebrate diversity but actively embrace it as a cornerstone of our success. Together, we are building a more inclusive and compassionate dental community.
By: Nick Hornsberry, NDCCDP, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager