A framework analysis: male diversity in dental assisting

Dental Assistant, The, Sept-Oct, 2002 by Salim S. Rayman

"The promise of diversity in the workplace is to create an environment in which employees' different identities and abilities are not only respected but also appreciated'"

Introduction

Diversity (1) in the workplace is becoming an increasingly important issue for managers. Labor is predominantly a combination of people from different races, gender, cultures, or religions. The fact that labor is growing more diverse adds more challenges to managers. Diversity has become such an important issue in organizations that administrators should not only be aware of it, but also know how to manage it effectively. "Whether one looks at diversity as an internal employee relations issue, an external consumer marketing issue, or a sweeping societal issue, these broad demographic changes cannot be ignored" (2). Diversity adds rich resources into organizations. R. Roosevelt Thomas further supports this statement by claiming "the organization that utilizes these resources more efficiently and effectively will gain a competitive advantage" (3). In addition, he states, "In a company seeking competitive advantage in a global economy, the goal of managing diversity is to develop our capacity to accept, incorporate, and empower the diverse human talents of the most diverse nation on earth" (4). Meaning, managing diversity is to create an environment in which employee's differences are valued as an integral part of the organizational culture. Diversity is also needed to adequately represent the client/patient base and/or the community that the organization serves. Since diversity brings more positive advantages to organizations, promoting diversity is also crucial for an organization's prosperity as in the case of the Dental Assistant Program (DAP) at the New York University College of Dentistry.

This paper will illustrate how the management of the DAP addresses the lack of male students and recruitment of males into the program. The management of the DAP has implications in regards to stereotype, career issues, attractiveness of work, and salary of the dental assisting profession.

In an effort to asses the state of diversity and to promote diversity in the DAP, we use a conceptual framework called the "Developmental Stages of Diversity" (1). The framework categorizes organizations into three types on a continuum range from homogeneous (monolithic), to mixed (plural), to diverse (multicultural) (1). In the process of achieving diversity, the state of diversity in an organization can be placed in range from total exclusion (exclusionary phase) to considering (the club phase), to pursuing (compliance phase), to managing (affirmative phase), to maximizing (redefining phase), and to becoming fully diverse (1). To move from one phase to another, several strategies are recommended. For example, a diversity "audit" should be performed in order to move from the exclusionary stage to the considering stage.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how the management of the DAP relates to gender diversity by using case analysis and Ospina's "Developmental Stages of Diversity" framework. The interesting aspect of this study is the role reversal in diversity--the DAP represents a field dominated by women. The program lacks diversity because there is little male representation in the student body, faculty and administration of the program. The framework will be used as a guide to determine which developmental stage the DAP exists within and to identify the managerial actions necessary for promoting diversity in the program.

Overview of the Dental Assistant Program

The New York College of Dentistry was founded in 1865 and renamed as the New York University College of Dentistry when it became an essential part of New York University (NYU) in 1925. The NYU College of Dentistry is the largest dental school in the United States and provides five unique programs. They are as follows:

I. Doctorate of Dental Science Programs (DDS)

II. Dental Hygiene (DH)

III. Dental Assistant Program (DAP)

IV. Post Graduate Programs

V. International Program

The Dental Assistant Program is one of many highly respected programs offered at NYU. It meets "the requirements of the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation" (5). Upon successful completion of either the one-year full-time program or the three semester part-time program, students are awarded the nationally recognized NYU Certificate of Proficiency in Dental Assisting and qualify for New York State Licensure. Although graduates of the program are able to take the New York State Licensure exam, it is important to note that this license is not a requirement to practice dental assisting in New York.

The mission statement of the NYU Dental Assistant Program is "to partner with students to achieve academic excellence, research, community service, and offers comprehensive client care, utilizing critical thinking and evidence-based decision making skills" (5). The goals of the DAP specifically aimed at students are to "recruit and select the most qualified applicants for admission, with special efforts aimed at minority students; prepare competent dental assistants as defined by the mission statement", and to "promote higher education and continuing education of graduates" (5). The goals aimed for the faculty are to "promote further development of faculty teaching, research, and community service skills and the use of advanced technology", and to "provide opportunities for faculty enrichment, scholarship, and creative expression" (5). DAP director describes the program as a "vocational school in a university setting" (Interview: Director of Dental Assistant Program, 2000).