“We know that when we get into the dental clinic, we may carry those negative stereotypes, feelings and ideas that we have been taught to have toward Indigenous people,” says Dr. McKinstry. Recognizing and confronting these beliefs is essential to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment. Building Trust Through Respectful Practices Trust is a fundamental component of effective health care, particularly in a dental setting where patients may feel vulnerable. For Indigenous patients, trust is built through respectful acknowledgment of their cultural beliefs, values and practices. When patients feel understood and valued, they are more likely to seek care and adhere to treatment recommendations. Dr. McKinstry emphasizes that building trust requires intentional efforts from dental care providers. “We need to have certain protocols and have those conversations. Being able to ask and not necessarily treat everybody the same shows we’re trying to work toward cultural safety,” she says. This includes being mindful of how certain procedures may trigger anxiety or discomfort for Indigenous patients, who may have experienced trauma in the past. Understanding Historical Context To truly embrace cultural safety, dental professionals should try to understand the historical context that shapes the experiences of Indigenous Peoples. The legacy of residential schools, for instance, has left deep psychological scars and created intergenerational trauma that affects health-seeking behaviours today. Many Indigenous individuals approach health care settings with apprehension, stemming from negative past experiences or systemic discrimination. Dr.McKinstryemphasizes the importanceof recognizing and acknowledging these historical traumas in the dental practice. “If the legacy of residential schools and systemic discrimination has left many Indigenous Peoples with a profound mistrust of institutional systems, including oral health care, the trauma Indigenous communities experienced has a lasting impact on their willingness to seek dental care,” she says. By understanding this context, dentists can better empathize with their patients and create an environment that is culturally safe. The Role of Cultural Humility Cultural safety is closely tied to the concept of cultural humility, which involves a commitment to self-reflection and a willingness to learn from others. For dentists, this means recognizing their own privileges and biases and actively working to dismantle power imbalances in patient-provider relationships. “Cultural safety is an ongoing process, one in which health care professionals must continuously revisit their own knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, and processes to meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples,” says Dr. McKinstry. By acknowledging these aspects, dentists can shift their focus from a deficit-based approach to one that emphasizes the strengths and resilience of Indigenous communities. This shift is crucial when addressing issues such as early childhood caries, which disproportionately affects Indigenous children. Instead of placing blame on families for dental issues, dentists can consider the broader social determinants of health, including poverty, access to clean water, and adequate nutrition. Cultural safety is closely tied to the concept of cultural humility, which involves a commitment to self-reflection and a willingness to learn from others. 35 Issue 5 | 2024 | SupportingYour Practice
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