Episode 68: Beyond the Chair: Trauma-Informed Care in Dentistry

Beyond the Chair: Trauma-Informed Care in Dentistry

Show Notes - Disrupting Dentistry Podcast

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Episode Description

This isn't just about patient experience — it's about humanity, dignity, and creating safer, more responsive dental environments for everyone who walks through our door. In this powerful episode, Tabitha and Melissa delve into trauma-informed care, exploring why every dental professional needs to understand its impact on both patients and providers.

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What You'll Learn

• The real definition of trauma (it's not what you think)
• Why dental visits are perfect storms for trauma activation
• The five pillars of trauma-informed care and how to implement them
• How to recognize trauma responses in the dental chair
• The difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD
• Why trauma-informed care matters for your team, too
• Actionable steps to start practicing differently TODAY

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Episode Timestamps

0:00-3:00 - Introduction & Host Catch-Up

3:00-8:00 - What Is Trauma? Why It Matters in Dentistry

• Redefining trauma beyond "big events"
• Types of trauma our patients carry
• Why dental visits trigger trauma responses

8:00-18:00 - The 5 Pillars of Trauma-Informed Care

• Safety (physical and emotional)
• Trustworthiness and transparency
• Peer support and collaboration
• Choice, voice, and empowerment
• Cultural, historical, and gender considerations

18:00-25:00 - Recognizing Trauma in the Chair

• Signs to watch for during appointments
• Understanding PTSD vs Complex PTSD
• Real-world examples and case studies

25:00-30:00 - Trauma-Informed Care for Dental Teams

• Addressing vicarious trauma
• Creating psychologically safe workplaces
• Self-care strategies for providers

30:00-35:00 - Systems Change in Dental Education

• What dental schools need to teach
• Moving away from shame-based learning
• Policy and clinic transformations

35:00-40:00 - Where to Start: Practical Implementation

• The magic questions to ask patients
• Small changes with big impact
• Shifting from "what's wrong" to "what's needed"

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Key Takeaways

🔑 Trauma is any experience that overwhelms someone's ability to cope - not just "big" events

🔑 Dental visits can be triggering due to loss of control, intimate procedures, and power dynamics

🔑 The 5 pillars provide a framework for creating safer, more responsive care

🔑 Trauma responses show up in the body - watch for physical and emotional signs

🔑 This work isn't just patient-facing - teams need trauma-informed cultures too

🔑 Start with curiosity and presence - you don't need all the answers to care differently

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Resources Mentioned

• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - Framework for trauma-informed care

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Action Items for Listeners

✅ Ask these questions in your next patient interaction:

• "How can I make this space safer for you today?"
• "What do you need from me right now?"
• "What would help you feel more comfortable?"

✅ Implement the five pillars gradually:

• Start with one pillar per week
• Practice explaining procedures before touching
• Offer choices throughout appointments

✅ Check in with your team:

• Normalize debriefing complex cases
• Create space for emotional check-ins
• Encourage self-care and boundaries

✅ Share this episode with colleagues, faculty, and your dental community

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Connect with the Hosts

• Instagram: 

  Follow ➡️ @disruptingdentistrypodcast

  Follow ➡️ @tabitha_dental_hygienist_

  Follow ➡️ @itsthebadasshygienist

• Connect With The Disrupting Dentistry Movement 🔥

• Send us an 📧 [email protected] with your stories, reflections, or questions
• Share your trauma-informed care journey using #DisruptingDentistryPodcast

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Next Steps

Ready to go deeper? Here are ways to continue your trauma-informed care education:

1. Research SAMHSA's trauma-informed care principles
2. Attend trauma-informed care training for healthcare providers
3. Start conversations with your dental team about implementing these practices
4. Connect with mental health professionals in your community for referral resources
5. Advocate for trauma-informed care curriculum in dental education

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Episode Credits

Hosts: Tabitha Acret & Melissa Obrotka
Podcast: Disrupting Dentistry
Episode: Beyond the Chair: Trauma-Informed Care in Dentistry

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Remember: This work can't fall solely on individual clinicians — it must be embedded into education, policy, and the very culture of how we practice dentistry. Let's build a more human profession — together.

Stay kind, stay present, and keep disrupting!  Thank you for listening! 🤟