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The learner will be able to:
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Recognize the harmful effects of the "model minority" stereotype on the oral health of Asian Americans.
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Identify the individual and community variables that may impede Asian Americans’ access to oral healthcare.
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Examine the increase in discrimination and healthcare access issues faced by Asian Americans during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Examine how an Asian-American’s cultural beliefs can influence their oral health.
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Develop strategies for dental professionals to provide culturally competent care and resources to improve the oral health outcomes of their Asian-American patients.
In this course, we examine the healthcare challenges faced by Asian Americans, the fastest growing minority group and largest group of immigrants in the United States. Often labeled as the "model minority," Asian Americans are stereotyped as inherently successful, which obscures the real disparities they face, especially in healthcare and oral health. The rise in Covid-19 related attacks has heightened discrimination, further restricting their access to care. Key factors affecting their healthcare access include individual aspects like age, education, language barriers, and insurance availability, as well as community factors such as population density and cultural practices. Understanding these unique challenges allows dental professionals to better support and improve the oral health of their Asian-American patients.