Practice Management DEI Task Force Report Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion PCSO takes pride in encouraging our diverse membership to participate in our organization. The sincere desire is that all members feel included, that their opinions matter, and that they are heard. To this end, our PCSO board felt it valuable to update our mission statement and core values to reflect these ideals. Dr. Nancy Gum San Jose, CA PCSO Bulletin Contributor We thought it would be helpful to outline some important terminology so we can understand one another when discussing these principles. ▫ Diversity is defined as the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization. It is an acknowledgment that all humans are different. ▫ Equity is defined as fairness or justice in the way people are treated. Equity is the strategic master plan created with thoughtful intent to ensure that all participants have equal access to the same opportunities. ▫ Inclusion is defined as the act or practice of including and accommodating all persons. Inclusion is a nurturing climate in which similarities and differences are respected and supported to ensure active, full participation of all members. ▫ Microaggression is defined as a comment or action that is subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expressed as a prejudiced attitude toward another person or group. Learning to identify microaggressions allows for the development of new ways to interact with others. ▫ Implicit bias is defined as a prejudice that is present but not consciously held or recognized. Bringing biases to the conscious level gives us the opportunities to develop healthier ways to process information. I am proud of PCSO for taking action to ensure we have equitable practices and an inclusive culture. As orthodontists, we are leaders not only in our specialty but also in our broader communities, and in taking these steps we can make a difference. 54 PCSO Bulletin Winter 2022