Community Involvement

San Diego County Dental Society Newsletter - FACETS September 2020 Issue

A Dentist’s reflections on
racism and unconscious bias

By Stephen E. Lockwood, DMD, MAGD

Recent events have ripped the bandage off of unhealed wounds where social injustice has permeated our society. As a country, we have failed to recognize the costs of discrimination. Those of us who do not see this should try to understand the issues to gain awareness and, perhaps, empathy. Despite our most patriotic intentions over the years, there still exists pain within our divided States of America.

It is common knowledge that we have been a country of immigrants for hundreds of years commencing with our early colonists and enslaved Africans soon after. We have learned to construct barriers that alienate others who seem different. We celebrate our summer tans, yet this same color can lead to discrimination of others. Diversity has always been our country’s strength but for many this hasn’t been their reality. Lack of education, lack of economic opportunity, and systemic structural racism has marginalized many individuals of color. Justice seems relative and sometimes unattainable, as well. “No Justice…No Peace” echoes through our land. We see examples of those paid to protect and serve us exhibiting unchecked attitudes and cloaked prejudices while demonstrating aggressive and passive-aggressive policing methods. As appalling as that officer’s knee pressed on George Floyd’s neck was to me, I was equally enraged by the indifferent behavior of the nearby officer. We have not fully recognized discrimination experienced by African-Americans. If we don’t see it, it doesn’t exist.

Unlearning our parents’ “best practices” in parenting is similar to unlearning some racial prejudices which have almost, by osmosis, infiltrated our minds and hearts. My parents had their experiences which influenced their racial views, but I had my own experiences in school, athletics fields, and church attendance. Somewhere amongst the legitimate influences of my teachers, professors, coaches, parents, siblings, coworkers, bosses, peers, teammates and pastors I developed my own style of respecting and loving my neighbor as I love myself. As we gain confidence and security in ourselves we are more available to the understanding of others. Here we may be fortunate to have loving friends, family or spouse to point out our cultural insensitivities and unconscious bias. Confronting unconscious bias is an act of the will. Will I allow myself to be vulnerable to my flaws or character traits that are offensive? We don’t often desire to be uncomfortable enough to have the truth smack us in the face. After all, we all have an ego and we tend to believe we are always right. Healthy persons who want to do the right thing can also be uncomfortable when confronted with their bias. It helps to have a loving spouse or friend speak honestly to us and allow a real awareness as clear as a mirror before us. Wisdom comes to those who ask for such help in discovering ourselves at a deeper level – our real self.

As we strive to be ethical professionals, we may have unconscious bias that we are unaware of as we interact with our patients. It all starts with getting to know our patients so we can begin the process of dispelling unconscious bias. I have learned some practical ways to treat all people with respect in my practice. Greeting and meeting a new patient begins the verbal and non-verbal communication. Such communication will begin to build trust within the first five seconds as we dialogue and learn about our patients’ concerns and possible anxieties. In a short time a connection of trust allows for the next step in caring for our patients, thus a healthy doctor-patient relationship.

As dentists we are in a position of leadership. We are leaders of our dental team. It is our responsibility to educate and address various forms of prejudice or racism or harassment within our practice. Good leadership will also grow one’s practice and foster a healthy work environment. For example, over 25 years ago I interviewed an African-American hygienist. One of my closest friends advised me not to hire a Black hygienist because it would ruin my practice in La Jolla. I was surprised by my friend’s bigoted attitude. Our staff overwhelmingly supported my choice to hire this hygienist, who still works with me today. Needless to say there were irreconcilable differences with my old friend. Standing up for what’s right and good takes courage and can be uncomfortable at times. When we take a stand to be against racism and accept diversity in our staff we communicate to all new patients our unconditional acceptance. This also helps break down barriers.

There will be changes in our country and some change will be slow, but if a new generation of young people has equal opportunities, there is hope. Maybe we can allow for expansive language of our Constitution to reveal today that all men are created equal and have certain inalienable rights.

We have all had many thoughts and emotions regarding police brutality and racial injustice. Black Lives Matter is a sweeping movement focused on individual and systemic structural racial injustice towards African-Americans rooted in slavery. Perhaps if we all KNOW justice we will all KNOW peace. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke his dream that his children will “one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Dr. Stephen Lockwood has been practicing in La Jolla since 1985 at Regents Dental Group. He has served in a variety of leadership positions with SDCDS and California Academy of General Dentistry, including President of CAGD in 2010 and AGD Regional Director for California in 2014-2017.  He has lectured on various General Dentistry topics for SDAGD and serves as a part-time faculty member of UCSD School of Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, and volunteers at the VVSD John Geis DDS Dental Clinic.