When you are choosing a healthcare provider, including a dentist, your concerns should be your health. You should feel confident that you will be treated fairly and have your needs meet – that you won’t face discrimination or microaggressions in the office and at your appointments.
Dental Anxiety and the LGBTQ Community
Dental anxiety is common, lots of people feel nervous sitting in the dental chair! But if for members of the LGTBQ community this can be heightened. If you’ve experienced discrimination from, or have not been accepted by, a healthcare provider in the past, it can be hard to be comfortable with your new dentist.
It’s important that you be able to be as much at ease as possible during your appointment. Open, honest, non-judgmental conversation is key to building a trusting relationship with your dentist and ensuring you receive the proper oral health care.
A Welcoming Environment
From the moment you walk into our office, we want you to know it’s a welcoming, safe space. It’s important that you can share your medical history and concerns with us honestly without fear of judgement. An accurate and thorough understanding of your health and needs are crucial to developing a treatment plan and ensuring your oral health needs are met.
Knowledge of Oral Sexual Health Issues
Any patient with questions about oral STIs needs to feel comfortable discussing them with their dentist. If these questions reveal personal information they worry the dentist is not able to handle or would judge them for, they may not have an honest conversation. This could lead to missing out on essential health care.
Experience with Medical Issues common to the LGBTQ Community
A dentist with an understanding of the common drugs, treatments and other health challenges in the LGTBQ community means they are more aware of side effects, drug interactions, and unique oral health considerations.
There is also less likely to be any discrimination around someone’s HIV status. All individuals, regardless of their HIV status have a right to oral health care. Ensuring your dental team is well versed and with the protocols for treating HIV+ patients mean you get the oral health care you need.