Survey to include 78 dental schools and over 800 allied dental programs in the United States and Canada
—Lisa Brown Alexander
WASHINGTON, DC, USA, July 19, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ — The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is partnering with Nonprofit HR to conduct a major dental education-wide climate assessment survey that will collect baseline data on DEI in US dental schools and Canadian and related dental programs. The survey will include all 78 dental schools and more than 800 allied dental programs in both countries. This inaugural climate assessment is a critical step in helping all institutions measure perceptions about campus climate as a support for inclusion, equality, and equitable outcomes for all stakeholders. DEI expert Emily Holthaus and the team of experienced DEI consultants will lead this work for Nonprofit HR.
“This project underscores ADEA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and its responsibility and commitment to help all dental schools and dental education programs develop a better understanding of the dental landscape. current situation,” said ADEA President and CEO Karen P. West, DMD, MPH. “With the data we will collect, dental schools and programs will have valuable insights into what actions they can take to further promote inclusion, diversity and a strong sense of belonging for all.
Lisa Brown Alexander, Founder and CEO, Nonprofit HR, said she was looking forward to this project. “Nonprofit HR places great importance on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and is honored to partner with ADEA on such a monumental, timely and critical initiative,” said she declared. “We recognize the strength and value that a greater focus on DEI can bring to every organization in the dental education community. And we are in tune with the wealth of experience and perspective that a diverse and equitable workforce brings to the university community across North America.
The climate study will also include questions about well-being and engagement among specific demographic groups. Collecting baseline data will allow dental schools and related dental programs to assess their strengths and identify areas for improvement related to inclusion and diversity efforts and creating and maintaining a humanistic environment. . Additionally, climate assessment data will serve as an important tool to guide new and enhanced strategic initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusion in dental education.
Some dental schools and related dental programs have already participated in campus-level climate studies. However, one of the major benefits of the ADEA climate assessment will be the availability of aggregated comparative data specific to dental schools and related dental programs, which was not available for the schools and programs participating in the assessments only. universities/campuses. Individualized, confidential, personalized reports and data tables will be available to assist with diversity and strategic planning at the school and program level.
ADEA is partnering with Nonprofit HR, a consulting group with offices in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, to conduct the survey, which will include all 78 dental schools and more than 800 allied dental programs in the United States and in Canada. ADEA and nonprofit HR will also work with the ADEA Collaborative on Dental Education Climate Assessment (ADEA CDECA) and other key stakeholders to develop the survey instrument over the summer and fall 2021. Tentative plans for survey implementation are early spring 2022 and final climate assessment results. will be available in fall 2022.
“For many decades, we have heard first-hand and second-hand accounts of microaggressions, macroaggressions and lack of cultural sensitivities in work environments in general, and in dental education in particular,” Keith said. A. Mays, Ph.D., DDS, MS, Chairman of the ADEA Board of Trustees and Dean of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. “As a faculty member and administrator, I have too many confidential conversations about racial discrimination, sexual harassment, or discrimination based on sexual orientation. This makes me believe that we may not fully understand how many people within our institutions are affected. Therefore, ADEA’s climate assessment survey is an important step to further support healing and wellness in dental facilities.
The Climate Assessment Survey is the culmination of more than a year of collaborative work and research conducted by ADEA staff, the ADEA Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee (ADEA DIAC ) and the ADEA CDECA, which consists of six independent researchers from four ADEA member dental schools (University of Michigan School of Dentistry; University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry; Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry; and University of Indiana School of Dentistry), a representative from the Academy for Advancing Leadership and representatives from ADEA DIAC and ADEA Personnel.
Before deciding to launch the study, ADEA, through the ADEA CDECA, spent several months reviewing the literature on assessing the climate of post-secondary and health professions. They also collected and analyzed information from faculty, staff, students and administrators by conducting six surveys and two rounds of focus groups. The data collected focused on three areas: 1) past climate survey activities in dental schools and related dental programs, 2) perceptions and considerations of dental schools and related dental programs regarding future study on the ADEA-led dental education-wide climate and 3) the effects of the COVID-19 crisis and the Black Lives Matter movement on the cultural climate for all members of our communities and related activities to the climate. Based on all the information gathered, ADEA CDECA recommended that ADEA contract a group of external climate survey consultants to conduct a dental education-wide survey. for all US and Canadian dental schools and related dental programs.
Many of those involved in developing the survey hope it will be a step forward for the dental education community in embracing diversity and inclusion.
About Nonprofit HR
Nonprofit HR was founded with one goal in mind: to strengthen the social impact sector by strengthening its people. Nonprofit HR is the nation’s leading and oldest firm focused exclusively on the talent management needs of the social sector, including nonprofits, associations, social enterprises, and other mission-driven organizations. We focus our efforts on strategy and advisory consulting, HR outsourcing, research, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and total compensation. The company also offers custom training, research, knowledge and events, all with the goal of building the people management capability of the workforce. Since 2000, our team of accredited experts has enhanced the impact of some of the world’s most influential brands in the industry.
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Meet Emily Holthaus, Managing Director, DEI, Nonprofit HR
