Teaching Ethnic Empowerment Towards Healthcare (TEETH) is a minority based pre dental organization. Its focus is to assist undergraduate students in their journey to becoming healthcare providers in underserved communities. TEETH is aimed towards but not limited to minority students, all who have a desire to serve the under represented are welcome.
The nations increase in the diversity population is making it more apparent that enhancing the diversity of the dental profession is vital to the success in addressing the oral health needs. Because minority patients are more likely to visit a dentist that is of the same or similar ethnicity, the lack of ethnic diversity directly affects these patients. Furthermore, minority dentist have a higher chance of establishing practices closer to areas with minority patients because of comfort, habit, or proximity. One of the objectives of TEETH is to not only stress the importance of giving back to the community, but to underline the need for more minority dentist and healthcare providers in general. We stand together as one community with the desire to take healthcare back to its essence. When people stop serving with selfish motives and with the main desire something other than providing adequate healthcare to those in need then a dramatic change will be seen among the ethnic community. Through volunteering, job shadowing, preparing ourselves academically, and informing college students of the prevalent need for adequate healthcare in the minority community, TEETH hopes to encourage other college students to be more aware of the challenges faced among minorities. Understanding the patient and the origin of their situation is vital in providing adequate care. When one is educated medically and is aware of the needs commonly faced by individuals they are able to be used to their full potential as well as contribute to a greater cause.