People with histories of trauma may feel unsafe in an unfamiliar environment, which could lead to them experiencing extreme stress and anxiety. These emotional states could potentially induce re-traumatization and create a challenge for dentists in trying to engage patients in their care. But some relatively minor changes to a dentist’s physical, social, and emotional environment can improve a patient’s feelings of safety and create an atmosphere that reduces the likelihood of re-traumatization. Trauma-Informed Care in the Dental Office Trauma can be defined as any lasting emotional response that may result from living through a distressing event. Experiencing a traumatic event can harm a person’s sense of safety, sense of self, and ability to regulate their emotions and navigate relationships. Long after the traumatic event occurs, people with trauma may feel shame, helplessness, powerlessness and intense fear. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, about two-thirds (67%) of Canadians have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime and 7% of Canadians suffer from a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, traumatic events experienced early in life, such as abuse, neglect, and disrupted attachment, can often be felt throughout one’s lifetime. Equally challenging can be experiences later in life that are out of one’s control, such as a serious accident, being the victim of violence, living through a natural disaster or war, or sudden unexpected loss. But not all traumas are life threatening. Smaller events can also be highly distressing but don’t fall into the common trauma categories. Milder injuries, emotional abuse, bullying or harassment, and loss of significant relationships can also be traumatic. People’s resilience (i.e., their unique capacity 30 | 2024 | Issue 1
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE5MTI=