Responding - what can I do to help?

Home: Workers: Medical and Dental Workers: Beyond sexual assault

Dental professionals are encouraged to consider strategies of best practice that may build trust and facilitate feelings of safety for victim/survivors.

It is important to remember that it is not always appropriate for the dental professional to ask about patients past sexual assault history.

More notably it is the responsibility of the dental professional to be aware of the potential issues for victim/survivors in a dental setting, and to respond appropriately if suspected that a patient may be a victim/survivor.

Strategies for supporting patients who may be victim/survivors of sexual assault

• Avoid authoritarian and/or judgmental reactions or approaches.
• Encourage the patient to have a trusted person with them during the appointment/procedure.
• Consider including a general question on patient history regarding dental fear & past experiences/reactions. This is an opportunity for professionals to be aware of patient's specific fears or issues.
• Keep the treatment room door open
• Consider aesthetic changes or distractions: calming/relaxation music, fish tanks, colourful prints, TV, having open blinds to let in daylight.
• Provide information about what to expect when visiting dentist.
• Ask permission, explain and provide options about procedures; 'Inform Before Perform'.
• Develop signals/cues with patient so they can indicate when to stop treatment/procedure.
• Regular check-in with patient.
• Limit body contact.
• Limit time spent: in dental chair, leaning over patient.
• Negotiate the reclining angle of chair or proceed in small increments.
• Provide adequate pain relief, when appropriate, upon request.
• Respond to patients distress in appropriate and sensitive way.
• Talk to patient.
• Where possible, refrain from discussing the benefits of pain.

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Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 18 Jul 2008