Full Title: Experiences of Microaggression Among Racial/Ethnic Minority Dental Hygienists: A qualitative study

Authors: Dawn E. Smith, RDH, MS, Linda D. Boyd, RDH, RD, EdD, Jeanette Diaz-Olivera, DHSc, MPH, RDHAP, RDH

JDH Issue: February 2026

Program Track: Research

Abstract: Purpose: Microaggressions are described as brief routine verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities that convey hostile, derogatory, or negative attitudes and may be intentional or unintentional. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe how dental hygienists who identified as members of racial/ethnic minority groups experience microaggressions in dental workplace settings. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological research design was used with a purposive sample of 14 dental hygienists who identified as racial or ethnic minorities recruited via social media and snowball sampling. Data was collected through virtual focus groups with the use of deductive analysis based on the sub-scales of the Racial and Ethnic Microaggression Scale to identify themes followed by inductive analysis. Results: Five themes emerged from the focus groups that included assumptions of inferiority, workplace microaggression, emotional response, second class citizen, and microinvalidation. Participants reported instances of being considered less competent or less well educated by employers and/or patients because of their race or ethnicity. Workplace microaggressions ranged from lack of promotion to being fired. Participants expressed a range of emotions from being angry to being ambivalent in response to the microaggression. Conclusion: Dental hygienists who identify as racial or ethnic minorities frequently experience microaggressions in the clinical work setting. Most participants reported being considered inferior due to their race or ethnicity along with a variety of workplace microaggressions. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate microaggressions with ongoing education about recognition and response to microaggression to ensure an inclusive and welcoming work environment. It is critical to address microaggression to recruit and retain a diverse workforce.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the lived experiences of racial and ethnic minority dental hygienists regarding workplace microaggressions.
• Evaluate the thematic findings—such as assumptions of inferiority, workplace microaggressions, emotional responses, second-class citizenship, and microinvalidation—identified in the study.
• Explain the implications of microaggressions on professional well-being, workplace culture, and retention of minority dental hygienists.

CE Credit Hours: 2.0

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