NCJ Number
245638
Journal
Journal of the American Dental Association Volume: 145 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2014 Pages: 238-245
Date Published
March 2014
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article provides a framework for how dentists can interact sensitively with patients who have survived traumatic events.
Abstract
The authors present the trauma-informed care pyramid to guide engagement with traumatized patients. The base of the pyramid is "Patient-centered Communication Skills," followed by blocks in ascending order to the peak of the pyramid with "Understanding the Health Effects of Trauma," "Collaboration and Understanding Your Professional Role," "Understanding Your Own History," and "Screening." This article notes that large-scale studies representative of the U.S. population show that traumatic events are highly prevalent. Traumatic events can include child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and exposure to combat. Traumatic events often have emotional consequences in the short term, such as anxiety, social isolation, and difficulty trusting others. Efforts to cope with these feelings and circumstances can involve behaviors that undermine health, such as smoking, alcohol use, and overeating. This suggests that health care practitioners are likely to see patients with health issues rooted in maladaptive ways of coping with trauma. Health care providers must be aware of the possibility that a patient's adverse health practices may stem from untreated trauma. 52 references