“We talk teeth”: Exploring faculty EDIA (equity, diversity, inclusivity, and access) capacity in dental education

Abstract

There are increasing concerns regarding inequitable educational access and experiences for underrepresented populations in health education, prompting dental faculties to recognize EDIA (equity, diversity, inclusivity, and access) capacity as a strategic priority. Faculty members contribute to the establishment and reinforcement of institutionally engrained norms within learning settings with significant influence on the experience of students. Currently, there is limited literature on faculty EDIA capacity within dental education and minimal evidence to inform barriers to development. This study sought to explore how dental faculty members perceive their personal and institutional EDIA capacity and to identify current strengths and weaknesses of EDIA development within the institution of study and dental education. Methods: Using a hermeneutic study design, semi-structured interviews were conducted on a convenience sampling of dental faculty members (n = 10) and a thematic, interpretative analysis was applied.Results: Findings revealed six dominant themes impacting EDIA capacity. Knowledge of EDIA language, interfaculty communication, and institutional messaging are identified as weaknesses, whereas informal, community building events for EDIA development are identified as novel strengths meriting prioritization. Motivation to engage in EDIA by faculty members overall is illuminated in relation to emotionally provocative experiences. Conclusion: Current institutional communication of EDIA is unconsciously restricting capacity building based on hierarchical and prescribed parameters. Developing capacity in dental education requires a redirection of resources to initiatives valuing social bonding over prescribed box-checking. This study reveals a new narrative of EDIA capacity within dental education and sustainable pathways for development with high transferability to other health programs.

Mapping the Landscape: A Review of Digital Health Models for Equitable Access to Universal Health Coverage

“…Given the technological advances and the changes within the health ecosystem and beyond, model developments, adaptations, and enhancements are required to inform progress and to support and guide operations with changing goals and targets (Cresswell et al, 2019). Considering UHC, which advocates for inclusivity across its main dimensions of population coverage, service quality, and cost, designed models, regardless of their focus, should reach out to the communities and remain people-centred (Macdonald et al, 2023).…”

“…EDIA concentrated on removing structural prejudices and obstacles that limited fair chances and kept people from reaching their full potential. The four ideas that made up EDIA included a shared commitment to equally honoring, appreciating, and supporting each person's unique life experiences and viewpoints, regardless of how they identified with themselves (Macdonald et al, 2023). Six dominant factors that affected EDIA capacity were identified by a study by Macdonald et al (2023), such as interfaculty communication, institutional messaging, and knowledge of the EDIA language, which were found to be weaknesses.…”

“…The four ideas that made up EDIA included a shared commitment to equally honoring, appreciating, and supporting each person's unique life experiences and viewpoints, regardless of how they identified with themselves (Macdonald et al, 2023). Six dominant factors that affected EDIA capacity were identified by a study by Macdonald et al (2023), such as interfaculty communication, institutional messaging, and knowledge of the EDIA language, which were found to be weaknesses. On the other hand, informal community-building activities for EDIA growth were found to be innovative assets that needed to be prioritized.…”

“…On the other hand, informal community-building activities for EDIA growth were found to be innovative assets that needed to be prioritized. Faculty members' overall motivation to participate in EDIA was shown to be correlated with emotionally charged events (Macdonald et al, 2023).…”

A Systematic Literature Review of Digital Health Strategies for Equitable Access to Universal Health Coverage in Developing Countries

“…Further, there exists a mismatch in translating users' needs and skills by the developed technologies (Namatovu et al, 2021;Latulippe et al, 2020;Van Calis et al, 2023). Consequently, the development of earlier products calls for a fresh interpretation of conception, communication, and implementation in various contexts (Macdonald et al, 2023), to mitigate the existing gaps and to reap the benefits of digital health (Magsamen-Conrad et al, 2020); (Margineanu et al, 2020); (Airola, 2021); (Lee et al, 2021).…”