DENTAL UPDATES
JCU helps dentists address patients experiencing domestic and sexual violence
As dentists are treating an increasing number of patients who are experiencing, or have experienced, domestic and sexual violence (DSV), acquiring knowledge and skills to recognise, respond and refer appropriately is crucial. DSV is widely recognised as a pervasive, and preventable problem with significant health impacts. Thanks to a range of industry-leading tools developed by James Cook University (JCU), dentistry students and practitioners across Australia will now be equipped with the skills they need to recognise and respond to patients harmed by DSV. Officially launched in August by experts from JCU’s Dentistry and Social Work fields, the educational videos and related documents cover several role-playing scenarios, the use of trauma-informed care, legal and ethical considerations, working with First Nations Australians, and how
to avoid unintended consequences when providing assistance to victim-survivors.
JCU Dentistry Adjunct Associate Professor Felicity Croker said that as a significant number of JCU students had treated patients with indicators of DSV, additional skills were needed to deal with those scenarios. “One of the things we hope has come out of the launch of these resources is that we will also be able to bring on board the clinical supervisors, dentists in practice and make it available to other dental schools,” she said. The JCU programme now extends to third year Dentistry students onwards and is also used by JCU-affiliated dental practitioners, with the Australian Dental Council having since made it a graduate requirement that all students have competency in recognising, assessing, and responding to domestic and family violence.
(Image: James Cook University)
JCU Social Work senior lecturer Dr Ann Carrington said dentists were in a unique position and had to manage what could be an awkward environment for victim- survivors to speak up and seek support. “We want students and practitioners to be able to listen in, make some risk assessments, and build the perfect tools to address DSV where necessary, but dentistry can be a really triggering experience for survivors of trauma,” said Dr Carrington. DA managers, and support staff and with this additional funding they will now have the latest equipment,” minister Park added. ACCHOs are incorporated Aboriginal organisations initiated by and based in local Aboriginal communities. They deliver holistic and culturally appropriate health services to their communities. The NSW Government said that it remains committed to its partnership with the Aboriginal health sector and funds 25 ACCHOs to provide dental care for patients across the state. “We are committed to ensuring people can continue to have access to oral health services that are culturally responsive, safe and of high quality. This targeted funding ensures services meet the unique needs of the local Aboriginal communities they are within,” said minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris. DA
Aboriginal communities in New South Wales receive funding boost
According to news shared by the New South Wales Health authorities, patients at 15 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations
“Oral health can influence general health. A healthy mouth ensures people can eat, speak and socialise without discomfort and embarrassment. A targeted funding boost to allow ACCHOs to update or replace their equipment helps address disparities experienced in vulnerable population groups and will have a positive impact on the overall population’s health and wellbeing,” said minister for Health Ryan Park. The additional funding will ensure ACCHOs can tailor their services as needed, allowing them to both improve and increase their ability to provide holistic health care to the community now and into the future.
(Image: NSW Health)
(ACCHOs) across New South Wales (NSW), Australia, will benefit from improved dental services following a funding boost worth AU$1,705,000. These one-off grants will see selected metropolitan, regional and rural ACCHOs replace, update or purchase additional dental equipment such as an intraoral camera, prosthetist services dental chairs and x-ray machines.
“The oral health teams working in ACCHOs are highly skilled dental practitioners,
8 DENTAL ASIA SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024
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