Sydnee Chavis: Dentistry, Disability, and Humanity

This podcast is in honor of Disability Pride Month, a time to focus on celebrating the achievements of people with disabilities, raise awareness about disability rights, and promote accessibility for all.

Sydnee Chavis is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Growing up, Sydnee watched her parents struggle to find primary care doctors and dentists willing to treat her older sister, Brandi, who was born with a traumatic brain injury and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Those experiences drove Sydnee to look for ways to improve access to basic care for everyone—regardless of their disability.

Today, Sydnee teaches her students how to treat patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other complex medical conditions. Sydnee is on a mission to raise awareness not just for dental students but for the larger society. Too often, people underestimate those with disabilities. Sydnee is shaping the next generation of dental care providers and she’s inviting ALL of us to shift our mindset.

Links

Disability Pride Month (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability_Pride_Month

Crip Camp - https://youtu.be/XRrIs22plz0