"Dentists Providing Supportive Care for Rape and Assault Survivors During Tooth Examinations"

Dentists are adopting trauma-informed approaches to dental care to help trauma survivors feel safe and empowered during dental visits. By providing respectful, collaborative, and caring communication, dentists like Sharonne Zaks are helping patients with traumatic experiences feel at ease in the dental chair. This approach involves making small adjustments tailored to each patient's preferences, such as offering music or adjusting the patient's position, and seeking the patient's consent throughout the procedure. While challenges such as time and cost barriers exist, efforts are being made to expand trauma-informed dental care models to improve patient experiences and overall oral health.