Volume 9 • 2022 • Issue 2

DENTAL DIGEST T rauma-informed care is an approach to care that recognizes the presence of trauma and the role it may play in an individual’s life and their experiences in health care settings. It acknowledges trauma as an injury and seeks to avoid labelling patients who have experienced trauma as being “uncooperative” or “difficult to work with.” In a panel discussion hosted on CDA Oasis, members of the Canadian Society of Disability and Oral Health (CSDH), in conjunction with AboutFace, a Canadian charity that supports individuals with facial differences and their families, discuss the challenges individuals with facial differences may encounter in accessing dental care, and outline some key strategies in implementing trauma-informed care in the dental practice. Some takeaways from the panel discussion include: • There is a wide variation in the experiences of individuals with facial differences. The trauma associated with facial differences does not necessarily exist in isolation but is often connected to other factors such as identity, ethnicity or socioeconomic background. • Communication is key, whether it is between the dentist and the patient, the dentist and caregivers, or the dentist and other members of the health care team. Trauma-Informed Care CSDH-AboutFace Panel Discussion CDA Responds to Federal Government Considering New Federal Dental Program O n March 22, the federal Liberal and NDP parties announced a “confidence and supply” agreement, with the NDP agreeing to support the Liberal government on confidence votes until 2025 in exchange for a commitment on certain policies, including elements of a national dental care program. In response, CDA issued the following statement: Oral health is a vital part of overall health, and all Canadians have a right to good oral health. We support efforts to improve access to dental care for those who need it most, such as seniors, children, those with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, racialized Canadians, and low-income families. The single best way to quickly improve oral health and increase access to dental care is to invest in, and enhance, existing provincial and territorial dental programs. These programs are significantly underfunded and are almost exclusively financed by provincial and territorial governments. • Create a comfortable environment and give the patient an opportunity to talk about specific challenges relating to their trauma. • Give the patient control by offering them as much choice as possible. • Consider the language you use carefully. How we refer to a facial difference in front of a patient or their family may have ramifications. • It is important to consider the whole person and adapt to their individual needs. See the full panel discussion on CDA Oasis: bit.ly/36IbRij We are surprised by today’s announcement that the federal government is considering a new, large-scale, federal dental program. It will be important to ensure that any new initiatives do not disrupt access to dental care for the large majority of Canadians who already have dental coverage through employer- provided health benefits. We look forward to collaborating closely with the federal government as it works to address the oral health needs of Canadians . 15 Issue 2 | 2022 |