The NYSDA Diversity and Inclusion Task Force proudly celebrates Black History Month by highlighting the achievements of Black dentists who are advancing the profession and serving their communities.
This month, we spotlight NYSDA member Dr. Emma J. Guzmán, a General and Cosmetic Dentist at Noble Dental Care, P.C. in New York City, speaker, and community builder. Dr. Guzmán is also a member of NYSDA’s Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, where she works to expand equity and culturally informed care in dentistry.
Dr. Guzmán shared reflections on her journey in dentistry, her commitment to community and inclusive care, and advice for early-career dentists striving to lead with purpose.
Q. Your career reflects a strong commitment to clinical excellence, education, and community impact. What first inspired you to pursue dentistry, and how has that motivation evolved over time?
Dr. G. What first inspired me to pursue dentistry was a dentist who visited my third or fourth grade career day. He spoke with such passion about the profession that, later that afternoon, I went straight to the library, pulled out an encyclopedia, and looked up “dentistry.” From that moment on, I decided that this was the path I wanted to follow.
Over time, that early spark grew into a laser‑focused commitment. I structured my entire academic and extracurricular life around becoming a dentist—earning strong grades, majoring in biology, volunteering in dental clinics, joining the pre‑dental club, and conducting research on oral health care in different countries. Mission work and community service, in particular, kept me grounded and energized. They reminded me that dentistry is not just a science or a skill set—it’s a vehicle for impact, connection, and service. That sense of purpose is what continues to fuel my enthusiasm for this career today.
Q. This year’s NYSDA Black History Month program, Rooted in Excellence: How Collaboration, Culture, and Clinical Mastery Shape Modern Dentistry, highlights the connection between culture and care. What does the theme “Rooted in Excellence” mean to you personally and professionally?
Dr. G. To me, the theme “Rooted in Excellence” is both personal and professional. It reflects my commitment to showing up as the highest version of myself in everything I do. There’s a phrase—Black excellence—that I deeply identify with, because I strive to embody it through preparation, integrity, and intention.
I am confident in my work because I invest in my education, stay informed, and ground everything I say in evidence‑based, research‑backed information. Being rooted in excellence means going directly to the source, doing the thorough work, and ensuring that my words, actions, and decisions are aligned with truth and knowledge.
That standard shows up in every part of my life—from researching the foods I put into my body and the workouts that support my wellness, to the way I prepare when I’m speaking to colleagues, students, or the broader community. Excellence, for me, is a practice. It’s a way of living, learning, and leading with intention.
Q. The program also honors the legacy of Black pioneers in dentistry. Are there individuals, experiences, or moments that have influenced your leadership style or shaped how you approach your role in the profession today?
Dr. G. I can’t attribute my growth to just one person—it’s truly been a collective influence. I’ve been shaped by the many mentors I’ve observed and learned from throughout my journey. Dr. Shawn Messiah, Dr. Tricia Quartey, Dr. Jackqueline Mclean, and Dr. Simone Bell, have each played a significant role in my development. Their guidance, their example, and even the way they navigate their own careers have all left an imprint on me. In many ways, I am a reflection of the wisdom, support, and excellence I’ve absorbed from all of them together.
Q. You serve on NYSDA’s Diversity & Inclusion Task Force and have been deeply involved in advancing inclusive initiatives. What has been most meaningful or impactful about this work for you so far?
Dr. G. The most meaningful part of my work with the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force has been expanding how we define and recognize diversity. It’s easy to focus on communities where diversity is visibly apparent, but it’s just as important to reach the neighborhoods and demographics where it isn’t immediately obvious. True inclusivity requires us to look beyond what we see on the surface.
Diversity includes differences in socioeconomic status, ability, language, immigration background, and lived experience—not just race or ethnicity. There are countless ways a population can be diverse, even when the eye doesn’t register it at first glance.
That’s why it has been so impactful to help lead seminars and webinars that equip our colleagues to better understand and serve a wide range of patient populations. This work is really about broadening the lens—helping clinicians recognize the full spectrum of diversity and practice with greater care, cultural awareness, and intention.
Q. During NYSDA’s virtual webinar, Improving Patient Care Through Cultural Awareness: Clinical Communication and Inclusion in Dentistry, you emphasized the role of communication in equitable care. Why is cultural awareness so critical in clinical interactions, and what does it look like in practice?
Dr. G. Cultural awareness is essential because it directly influences whether a patient understands, trusts, and ultimately accepts a treatment plan. When we recognize the cultural factors that shape a patient’s values, preferences, and lived experiences, we’re able to communicate more effectively and present care in a way that truly resonates. Without that context, even the most clinically sound plan can fall flat.
In everyday practice, cultural awareness shows up in very tangible ways. For example, within the Black community, a midline diastema—a natural space between the front teeth—is often a family trait and a point of cultural identity. A patient undergoing Invisalign or orthodontic treatment may want to preserve that space, and honoring that preference is part of delivering culturally responsive care.
Similarly, in many Caribbean cultures, an open‑faced gold crown is a symbol of beauty and heritage. When a patient requests that feature on a denture or fixed prosthesis, my response is always, “Absolutely—we can do that.” Because I understand the cultural significance, there’s no hesitation, no judgment, and no attempt to talk them out of it. Cultural awareness means recognizing that aesthetics, values, and treatment goals are not one‑size‑fits‑all. It’s about respecting what matters to the patient and integrating that into the care we provide.
Q. For dentists looking to deliver more culturally informed care, what practical mindset shifts or first steps would you encourage them to take in their everyday practice?
Dr. G. The first step I encourage is to lead with genuine curiosity. When you truly want to learn about your patients, the conversations feel natural—not awkward or intrusive. Curiosity opens the door for meaningful dialogue. It allows you to ask questions like, “I’m noticing some staining—what cultural foods are part of your regular diet?” and then work together to adjust habits or oral hygiene routines in a way that respects their lifestyle. It also means asking about the things that matter to them aesthetically. If a patient wants to keep their midline diastema, you can say, “Is that something that runs in your family? Tell me more about it.” These questions aren’t just clinical—they’re relational.
When you give patients space to speak, listen without judgment, and show authentic interest in their experiences, you build trust. And that trust is the foundation of culturally informed, patient‑centered care.
Q. As a speaker and community builder, how do you hope your work continues to influence the dental profession—and what advice would you offer to students or early-career dentists who want to lead with purpose and impact?
Dr. G. I want to be known as a dentist who lived her life fully. I’m a human first, and then I’m a dentist—and I believe we have to live with joy, intention, and authenticity. That’s the message I hope to impart to early‑career dentists. This profession can make you feel like you don’t belong or that you have to shrink yourself to fit into certain rooms. But if you made it through dental school and the rigor of this training, you belong in every room you enter—and you deserve to show up as your full, unapologetic self.
It took me years to embrace that truth, and it brings me so much joy to see young doctors stepping into their careers already grounded in who they are. Authenticity is not just allowed in dentistry—it’s needed.
Q. Black History Month invites both reflection and action. What responsibility do professional organizations like NYSDA have in advancing equity, inclusion, and representation within dentistry year-round?
Dr. G. I appreciate that NYSDA highlights Black providers and creates meaningful programming during Black History Month—but the social determinants of care don’t begin and end in February. These issues impact our patients year‑round, and our commitment to equity has to reflect that.
As a professional organization, our responsibility extends beyond supporting our doctors. We must also ensure that patients are educated, that they know we exist, and that they can access culturally competent care. With Black dentists making up only 3.8% of the profession, visibility and representation are essential—not just for patients, but for the next generation of aspiring Black dentists who need to see themselves reflected in this field.
This work requires year‑round advocacy, intentional programming, and consistent visibility. Professional organizations have a responsibility to champion equity, inclusion, and representation every single day—not just during Black History Month.
