ReviewAdvances in dental research2026
Advancing Oral Health Workforce Equity in Gender and Sexual Orientation.
Review in Advances in dental research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Sex, gender, and sexual orientation are multidimensional constructs that influence representation, inclusion, and outcomes in the oral health workforce. Despite demographic shifts in dental education, persistent inequities related to these identities remain underexamined in academic, research, and clinical settings. Our goal was to evaluate how sex, gender, and sexual orientation affect equity in the oral health workforce and to propose evidence-based strategies for advancing inclusivity in education and policy. We conducted a narrative synthesis using US-based data sources and peer-reviewed literature to assess demographic trends, historical structures, and institutional barriers. Particular attention was given to leadership disparities, economic inequities, and discrimination faced by women and LGBTQIA+ professionals (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual +). Best practices and policy strategies were also reviewed. Although women now constitute >50% of dental school enrollees, they remain underrepresented in leadership and surgical specialties and experience persistent wage gaps. LGBTQIA+ professionals face limited visibility, compounded bias, and a lack of structural protections. These disparities are amplified by intersecting identities, such as race and caregiving roles. Institutional gaps in inclusive curricula, faculty mentorship, and data collection further constrain equity. However, there have been some national initiatives that demonstrate promise for addressing these challenges. A more inclusive oral health workforce requires systemic reforms in academic policies, leadership development, cultural competency training, and federal financial support. Data collection on gender identity and sexual orientation, bias mitigation, and mentorship programs are critical levers for transformation. Aligning workforce policy with contemporary family structures and demographic realities can help ensure an equitable, representative, and resilient profession.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.