Reynolds Presents at Day of Racial Healing for the Oral Health Community Event

Julie Reynolds, research fellow in residence in the Health Policy Research Program, presented at the National Day of Racial Healing for the Oral Health Community on Tuesday, January 18. The focus of the workshop, which was sponsored by the American Institute of Dental Public Health, was to evaluate systemic influences in oral health equity, analyze potential policy responses to health disparities, and explore options for racial healing within oral health.

Reynolds’ presentation focused on exploring opportunities within policy to advance equity, looking at public insurance coverage policies and organizational policies through an anti-racism lens.

The first focus of her discussion centered on Medicaid, a federal and state public insurance program that provides coverage for low-income Americans, and people with disabilities. She noted that while one-fifth of the U.S. population is enrolled in Medicaid, populations of color were significantly more likely to be enrolled, a long-term consequence of systemic racism in healthcare. The expansion of Medicaid in many states resulted in a significant reduction in disparities across racial groups, while states that did not expand their Medicaid program, which also happened to have a higher proportion of Black populations, showed higher racially disproportionate rates of insurance coverage..

Reynolds explained that a wide spectrum of dental coverage exists across states, ranging from extensive coverage to limited coverage to no coverage, and a distinct overlap is observed in states that lack dental coverage for adults and did not expand their Medicaid programs. The most significant reduction in racial disparity was in states that expanded Medicaid and provided extensive dental benefits. The same trend was not observed in states that offered limited to no benefits.

Reynolds wrapped up by adding that other significant factors within healthcare and social determinants of health need to be improved for racial equity to be attained, and provided a list of advocacy opportunities and organizational activities with a goal toward diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare. 

Eleanor Fleming, assistant dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, participated in the panel as well. Their presentation, "Policy Considerations for Racial Equity in Oral Health," can be viewed below.

Additionally, a white paper that Reynolds contributed to, and co-edited, "Anti-Racism in Dental Public Health: a Call to Action," published by the American Association of Public Health Dentistry, was provided as a resource. Susan McKernan, senior research fellow in residence in the Health Policy Research Program, also contributed to the white paper.