Scholarly, Personal and Professional Development
Yun Saksena, D.M.D.
University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry
Sarandeep Huja, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine
Rena N. D'Souza, D.D.S, M.S., Ph.D.
National Institute of Health
Since 2005, Asians comprised over 20% of dental students in North America. In dental hygiene programs it’s around 7%. Approximately 12% of dental faculty in the USA are Asian. Yet in 2022, the number of Asian dental deans can be counted on one hand, none being women, aside from one interim dean. Asians feel a “Bamboo Ceiling” likely stemmed from the “Model Minority Myth”. This session will explore the “Model Minority Myth” including impacts on students and faculty, and pathways to leadership. Ideas will be generated for actions to break the ”Bamboo Ceiling” and barriers for Asians/other minorities to leadership.