Jacqueline Cohen | MS, CRDH

Jacqueline is a registered dental hygienist based in Jacksonville, Florida, with over 21 years of experience in the dental field. She holds an Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene from Florida State College and a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

A certified registered dental hygienist since 2015, Jacqueline has taught as an adjunct professor in the Dental Hygiene Department at Florida State College at Jacksonville since 2023, where she has enjoyed teaching both clinical and didactic courses. Jacqueline has been actively involved in research since 2020, earning the President’s Commitment to Diversity Award in 2022 for her study, "Ethnic and Racial Microaggressions and Their Relationship to Health-Related Quality of Life Among Dental Hygienists."

Her research interests include maternal oral health, the impact of preterm birth among ethnic women, and addressing health disparities in minority populations.

Microaggression Towards Dental Hygienists Who Identify as Racial/Ethnic Minorities and Relationship to Health-Related Quality of Life

Racial discrimination in the workplace has significant negative effects on health, job performance, and career satisfaction, particularly for individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups. This study examines the prevalence of microaggressions faced by dental hygienists who identify as racial/ethnic minorities and how these experiences impact their health-related quality of life.

Using a cross-sectional survey approach, this research surveyed 207 dental hygienists in the United States, with a 64.3% response rate (n=133). The survey utilized two validated instruments: the Racial Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (REMS) and the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL-4). Findings revealed that all participants reported experiencing some form of racial/ethnic microaggression, with Black or African American participants experiencing certain types of microaggressions more frequently than Hispanic or Latino participants. The study also identified a significant correlation between workplace microaggressions and negative impacts on both mental health and the ability to perform usual activities.

These findings highlight the critical need for addressing microaggressions in dental workplaces to improve the well-being of dental hygienists and foster a more inclusive environment.

Educational Objectives:

  1. Examine the prevalence and types of racial/ethnic microaggressions experienced by dental hygienists from minority backgrounds.

  2. Analyze the relationship between workplace microaggressions and health-related quality of life, including mental health and physical activity impact.

  3. Identify strategies to address racial/ethnic microaggressions in the dental workplace to promote a more inclusive and supportive work environment.