PAGD Keystone Explorer Fall 2021

Keystone Explorer | Fall 2021 17 dentistry issues Q For many children, the thought of attending a medical or dental appointment isn’t a cause for concern and they are able to attend and handle it without a second thought. However, for others, this might not be the case. A seem- ingly routine appointment can be a trigger for difficult emotions and behaviors for a child who has experienced trauma. In this article, principles of trauma-informed care will be discussed as well as ways to provide children with the safety that they need during their dental appointments. From the moment that a child walks into a dental office, it is vital that professionals are aware that each child’s life experience looks different. As a result of these differences, each will respond in a different way to dental procedures. You will likely even see differences between siblings—this is both normal and expected. It is best practice to assume that anyone whom you may encounter during the course of the work day may have a trauma history or might be living with chronic stress. When this is a routine practice, it changes the way that professionals interact with one another, with their staff, and with their patients. According to the CDC, at least one in seven children have experi- enced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year, and you will not necessarily know that one of those children are in your chair. Thus, we must approach everyone with an understanding that we have not walked in their shoes and should be mindful of their needs, boundaries, and person- al experiences. It is vital to be as informed as possible prior to working with children, keeping in mind that life circumstances and situations might change between appointments. Profes- sionals should consider their intake paperwork and how they check in with parents/caregivers in order to be kept aware of anything that might be concerning. This will allow the professional to create a safe experience for the child. Trauma Informed Care I N T H E D E N TA L O F F I C E Amanda Katchur, PsyD and Adam Biuckians, MD, Community Services Group