Dr. Briona Phillips- PhD, MSW, MPH

Speaker Information

Dr. Phillips- PhD, MSW, MPH, is a behavioral scientist specializing in social work and public health research, with a focus on health equity and oral health disparities. Her research centers on intersectional discrimination and community health interventions, particularly addressing the oral health needs of Black American populations. Dr. Phillips is dedicated to developing culturally responsive interventions that promote oral health equity and improve access to care for underserved communities.

In our presentation, “Improving Oral Health Outcomes for Black Patients through Interdisciplinary Collaboration,” we focus on the racial disparities in oral health utilization and psychosocial outcomes among 21-64-year-old Black adults in Baltimore City. We explore the impact of racial discrimination on oral health and explore how interprofessional collaboration among various health professions, such as nurses, social workers, and public health professionals, alongside dentists, can decrease these disparities faced by Black adults. Our goal is to provide culturally responsive care interventions that address the systemic barriers faced by Black patients and promote equitable oral health outcomes.