title: Dental Students' Knowledge of Resources for LGBT Persons: Findings from Three Dental Schools.
abstract: Recently, there has been increased attention to including cultural diversity in the education of health professionals, including concern for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) inclusion and visibility. Studies regarding cultural exposure and acceptance of LGBT populations have been concentrated in medicine, with findings showing that medical providers often graduate having missed the preparation required to care for LGBT persons. A visible, comprehensive, culturally competent environment in dental schools would help ensure that all oral health professionals and students are aware of services available to address the particular needs of LGBT students. The aims of this survey-based study conducted in 2015-16 were to determine dental students' perceptions regarding LGBT students' needs and to assess dental students' knowledge of resources for LGBT persons at three U.S. dental schools, one each in the Midwest, West, and South. Of the 849 students invited to participate, 364 completed the survey (338 dental, 26 dental hygiene), for an overall response rate of 43%. The response rate at individual schools ranged from 30% to 55%. The results showed perceptions of insufficient LGBT information, resources, and support at these institutions, especially at the Western school. There were significant differences among the three schools, with students at the Western school more than the other two schools perceiving that their institution was less aware of whether it met the academic, social support, and spiritual needs of LGBT students. There were no significant differences between LGBT and non-LGBT students' perceptions. The authors urge dental school administrators to explore the degree to which their programs teach respectful and caring behavior towards LGBT students and, by extension, LGBT patient populations.
authors.affiliation: Ms. Feng is a doctoral candidate, College of Education, University of Florida; Dr. Mugayar is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Perez is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Nagasawa is on the faculty, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, School of Medicine and a team member, Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE), School of Dental Medicine, University of Washington; Dr. Brown is Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Colleges of Dentistry, Education, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy, as well as being Director, CTSI Educational Development and Evaluation and Co-Director, HRSA Faculty Development in Dentistry, University of Florida.
authors.forename: Xiaoying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Ms. Feng is a doctoral candidate, College of Education, University of Florida; Dr. Mugayar is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Perez is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Nagasawa is on the faculty, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, School of Medicine and a team member, Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE), School of Dental Medicine, University of Washington; Dr. Brown is Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Colleges of Dentistry, Education, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy, as well as being Director, CTSI Educational Development and Evaluation and Co-Director, HRSA Faculty Development in Dentistry, University of Florida.
authors.forename: Leda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mugayar
authors.affiliation: Ms. Feng is a doctoral candidate, College of Education, University of Florida; Dr. Mugayar is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Perez is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Nagasawa is on the faculty, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, School of Medicine and a team member, Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE), School of Dental Medicine, University of Washington; Dr. Brown is Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Colleges of Dentistry, Education, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy, as well as being Director, CTSI Educational Development and Evaluation and Co-Director, HRSA Faculty Development in Dentistry, University of Florida.
authors.forename: Edna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: Ms. Feng is a doctoral candidate, College of Education, University of Florida; Dr. Mugayar is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Perez is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Nagasawa is on the faculty, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, School of Medicine and a team member, Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE), School of Dental Medicine, University of Washington; Dr. Brown is Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Colleges of Dentistry, Education, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy, as well as being Director, CTSI Educational Development and Evaluation and Co-Director, HRSA Faculty Development in Dentistry, University of Florida.
authors.forename: Pamela R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Nagasawa
authors.affiliation: Ms. Feng is a doctoral candidate, College of Education, University of Florida; Dr. Mugayar is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Perez is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Nagasawa is on the faculty, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, School of Medicine and a team member, Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE), School of Dental Medicine, University of Washington; Dr. Brown is Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Colleges of Dentistry, Education, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy, as well as being Director, CTSI Educational Development and Evaluation and Co-Director, HRSA Faculty Development in Dentistry, University of Florida.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Ms. Feng is a doctoral candidate, College of Education, University of Florida; Dr. Mugayar is Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Perez is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Nagasawa is on the faculty, Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, School of Medicine and a team member, Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE), School of Dental Medicine, University of Washington; Dr. Brown is Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Colleges of Dentistry, Education, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy, as well as being Director, CTSI Educational Development and Evaluation and Co-Director, HRSA Faculty Development in Dentistry, University of Florida. Lsbhoren@ufl.edu.
authors.forename: Linda S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Behar-Horenstein
mesh_terms: D054521:Cultural Competency; D004497:Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities / Q000193:education*; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: LGBT; cultural competence; dental education; dental students; sexual orientation