ADEA CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SYMPOSIUM: Harnessing the Oral Health Profession to Tackle the Climate and Health Crisis

Sunday, March 12, 2023

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST

Location: OCC - Portland Ballroom 256 & 257, Level 2

CE: 1

Designation: SoTL

Moderator(s)

Cecilia Sorensen, M.D.

Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

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Speaker(s)

Donna Hackley, D.M.D., M.A.

Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Neelima Tummala, M.D.

George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Tiffany Huang

University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry

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Ethan Madison

University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Ibeth Morales-Acosta

Pacific University School of Dental Hygiene Studies
Ashley Arounpradith

Pacific University School of Dental Hygiene Studies

The United Nations and the World Health Organization have named climate change the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. Climate change impacts all aspects of health, including oral health, and its effects present challenges as overall health care services contribute to 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Oral health professionals must be aware of oral manifestations related to climate change exposure pathways while also working toward decreasing the carbon and environmental intensity of their practice and ensuring continuity of care during extreme events.

While a global approach is necessary to achieve these goals, dental education must lead at the forefront. Health professional students should be trained to prevent and respond to climate-related health impacts on patients and the health care system. You will hear from experts in climate and health and oral health students on how dentistry can learn from best practices and respond to climate and environmental risks through education, adaptation and mitigation.

Learning Objectives:

Identify potential impacts of climate change on oral health and patient care delivery.
Summarize current approaches to integrate climate and health into oral health education and practice.
Apply best practices to incorporate climate health education and awareness at their own institutions.