GSK Consumer Healthcare is once again taking a lead role to advance professional diversity in the dental industry and improve the oral health care of diverse populations as a second-year sponsor of the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership.

The Institute is designed to develop leadership potential among dentists who belong to racial, ethnic and/or gender groups that have been traditionally less visible in the major leadership roles within the dental community.

Dentists chosen to participate in the program attend three leadership training sessions studying curriculum developed by Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Each participant then applies that knowledge to develop a community-based project. A final workshop and project presentation is the final step in the experience.

Selected examples of community projects from last year's inaugural class include:

• Incorporating Native American storytelling traditions to produce an educational video on diabetes and oral health;
• Creating an outreach program to encourage Hispanic dentists trained in other countries to enroll in a U.S. dental school program to prepare for licensure;
• Developing collaborative arrangements with local dental societies to help meet the needs of homeless veterans utilizing the VA's outreach programs.

Participating dentists commented that the program has made them realize their leadership is essential to mobilizing resources for the well-being of their communities. Many now report a new sensitivity to community needs and the desire to help others.

"As the dental profession continues to become more diverse, it is important for the profession to partner with the industry, as they have with GSK, to support educational initiatives aimed at fostering greater diversity among the dentistry's future leaders" said Dr. Ronald Rupp, senior manager of professional relations for GSK Consumer Healthcare. "We are pleased to join with the ADA in helping to foster greater diversity in the dental community."

GSK Consumer Healthcare is proud to support such a worthwhile program that positively influences both the dental profession and the public.