Using person-first language makes a measurable difference in how people think. A 2016 study3 asked participants, including health care professionals, about their perceptions of mental illness. Study participants who were asked about “people with mental illness” demonstrated more acceptance than those asked about “mentally ill people.” Examples of Person-First and Anti-Stigma Language Use: Instead of: Person/people with disability Disabled At risk for falls A falls risk Person with a substance use disorder, person in recovery Addict Person with an alcohol use disorder, person in recovery Alcoholic Person with, who has Afflicted with, suffers from Has barriers, chooses not to do Non-adherent, non-compliant Prefers not to, chooses not to Resistant, refuses Uses a wheelchair Wheelchair-bound Accessible [entrance, etc.] Handicapped [entrance, etc.] Survivor Victim, vulnerable Using language to communicate respect and common humanity is one step dental professionals can take toward building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable practice. References: 1. Basky G. How doctors describe patients matters - even in their notes. CMAJ. 2022;Mar 7;194(9):E347-E348. 2. Collier K, Gupta A, Vinson A. Motivating change in resident language use through narrative medicine workshops. BMC Med Educ. 2022;Sep 7;22(1):663. 3. Granello DH, Gibbs TA. The power of language and labels: the mentally ill versus people with mental illnesses. Journal of Counseling &Development. 2016;94:31-40. For more resources on this topic, visit: cda-adc.ca/transition 35 Issue 2 | 2023 | SupportingYour Practice
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