ABSTRACT
LGBTQ+ populations constitute increasing proportions of children, adolescents, and adults in the United States. Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, this group suffers from health inequities, including oral health. The report "Oral Health: Advances and Challenges" identified the LGBTQ+ community as an underserved population which faces significant barriers in accessing oral health care. Coverage of LGBTQ+ topics in formal education settings in both dental schools and dental hygiene programs is scarce, which contributes to inequities within this group. Increasing curriculum content related to LGBTQ+ populations is of utmost importance to promote optimal patient-provider interactions while improving oral health outcomes. Ensuring equity in oral health care provision will require deliberate, consistent efforts on the part of all stakeholders. Dental and allied dental education programs have made important strides in enhancing equity and inclusion in their institutions by engaging campus groups that support LGBTQ+ populations, creating mentorship programs, and collaborating with non-profit advocacy groups. Such efforts have successfully empowered LGBTQ+ patients, providers, and allies who are committed to further closing the knowledge gap. Most of the research regarding LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts have been done in the medical arena and there is a void in the data available from the dental profession. To fill this void, recommendations are offered that institutions can easily implement to expand LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion visibility.
Subject(s)
Curriculum , Sexual and Gender Minorities , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Education, Dental , Humans , Medically Underserved Area , Oral Health , United StatesABSTRACT
Objective: This literature review summarizes current research and evidence regarding transgender persons and oral health. Methods: A search of the literature was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO Host, Science Direct, and Wiley Online Library using the keywords "transgender identity, gender non-conforming, discrimination, transition, binary systems, transgender oral cavity, transgender, transgender oral health, transgender dental health." Articles published from 2000 to 2017 in both peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed journals, which reported information regarding the oral health status of transgender populations, were selected for review. Results: The search revealed 18 articles, only 7 of which pertained to the oral health status of transgender client populations. Five other articles were eliminated due to either poor quality or irrelevance. Discussion: The 13 articles included in the review revealed a need for oral health care professionals to be aware that gender is not binary, nor is it a mental health disorder. Transgender people face heightened risk of discrimination, violence, anxiety, depression, suicidality, substance abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as significant barriers to health care of which oral health professionals should be made aware. Conclusions: Transgender people have the same rights as everyone else to oral health care. Oral health care providers are responsible for ensuring that transgender clients receive care that aligns with their needs and for providing that care in a culturally competent manner. This requires an understanding of the basics of gender nonconformance and its impact on oral-systemic health. Additional research is needed to increase the scientific knowledge base to facilitate improved health outcomes for this client population.
Objectif: Cette analyse documentaire résume la recherche actuelle et les données probantes à l'égard des personnes transgenres et la santé buccodentaire. Méthodologie: Une recherche documentaire a été menée dans les bases de données suivantes : PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO Host, Science Direct et Wiley Online Library au moyen des mots clés anglais « transgender identity (identité transgenre), gender non-conforming (genre non conforme), discrimination (discrimination), transition (transition), binary systems (systèmes binaires), transgender oral cavity (cavité buccale du transgenre), transgender (transgenre), transgender oral health (santé buccodentaire du transgenre), transgender dental health (santé dentaire du transgenre) ¼. Des articles de journaux, publiés de 2000 à 2017 dans des journaux évalués par les pairs et non évalués par les pairs, qui ont fourni de l'information sur l'état de santé buccodentaire des populations transgenres, ont été sélectionnés pour être évalués. Résultats: La recherche a montré que sur les 18 articles retenus, seulement 7 se rapportaient à l'état de santé buccodentaire des populations de clients transgenres. Cinq autres articles ont été éliminés en raison de leur mauvaise qualité ou de leur manque de pertinence. Discussion: Les 13 articles qui ont fait partie de l'évaluation ont révélé le besoin de sensibiliser les professionnels de la santé buccodentaire au fait que le genre n'est ni binaire ni un trouble de la santé mentale. Les transgenres font face à un risque plus élevé de discrimination, de violence, d'anxiété, de dépression, de tendances suicidaires, d'abus de substances et de maladies transmises sexuellement, ainsi qu'à d'importantes barrières aux soins de santé, pour lesquels les professionnels de la santé buccodentaire devraient être sensibilisés. Conclusions: Les personnes transgenres ont les mêmes droits aux soins de santé buccodentaire que les autres. Les prestataires de soins de santé buccodentaire sont responsables de veiller à ce que les clients transgenres reçoivent des soins qui s'alignent avec leurs besoins et de fournir ces soins d'une façon culturellement compétente. Cela exige une compréhension des notions fondamentales sur la non-conformité du genre et de ses effets sur la santé buccodentaire et physique. De la recherche supplémentaire est nécessaire afin d'augmenter la base de connaissances scientifiques et de favoriser l'amélioration des résultats de santé de cette population de clients.
