|
A dental practice is successful not only because of excellence in treatment skills but also due to appropriate interpersonal relationships between the dentist, staff and patients. With this in
mind, Baylor College of Dentistry's Welcoming Diversity Workshop has been redesigned to emphasize the dental health practice, and all first-year dental students participated in the workshop during the
fall semester.
"Diversity education is a growing part of the BCD curriculum," said Dr. Marvin Hirsh, associate professor of restorative sciences, chair of the Welcoming Diversity Committee and workshop
coordinator. "Our goal is to help participants explore skills for communicating effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. These skills contribute to the success of the practice of dentistry.
"Various workshop exercises explore how beliefs expressed by participants are related to their practice of dentistry," Hirsh continued. "In addition, a new section examines how the 'fear
factor' and gender issues impact a practice. During the skill-building portion, participants discuss their own experiences as patients and how those experiences impacted them as both patients and health
care providers."
The four-hour workshop's goals include:
- identifying the information and misinformation we have learned about groups to which we do not belong;
- identifying with and expressing pride in groups to which we do belong;
- learning how groups (other than our own) experience mistreatment;
- learning the personal impact of specific incidents of discrimination; and
- learning skills for building, improving and strengthening a dental practice.
A workshop for faculty and administrators is set for Dec. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon in Room 736. Facilitators will be Hirsh and Dr. Lavern Holyfield (BCD '77), assistant professor of public
health sciences and a member of the Welcoming Diversity Committee. Space is limited to 25 people. To enroll, contact Hirsh at Ext 8384.
A staff-only workshop is planned for early 2003. Facilitators will be staff members of the Welcoming Diversity Committee. Watch for details or contact Hirsh for more information.
|
