Key messages:
- Most people have experienced a traumatic event that they feel is physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening, with some developing life-long psychological and physical symptoms that can be triggered by oral healthcare experiences.
- Clients experiencing psychological trauma symptoms can be supported through trauma-informed care and psychological first aid.
- Oral health practitioners should practise self-care to avoid secondary and vicarious trauma.
Introduction
Approximately 70% of the global population has experienced a traumatic event that they perceive as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening. Some people will develop life-long psychological and physical symptoms that can be triggered by their experiences in oral healthcare.
Psychological trauma is pertinent to oral healthcare as rising trauma statistics increase the likelihood that more clients will present with trauma backgrounds. Additionally, a history of trauma is an important predictive factor for poor oral health. This underscores the need for oral health practitioners to recognize and respond to psychological trauma symptoms.
Psychological trauma symptoms may result when a person’s coping mechanisms are overwhelmed by an event they perceive as emotionally or physically harmful or life-threatening. This can occur after a single trauma (e.g., car accident) or after prolonged or repeated incidents (e.g., family violence), with the latter often producing more severe or enduring reactions.
Individuals with psychological trauma may find it difficult to tolerate oral health treatment as aspects of care can pose challenges, such as lying horizontal, inability to see what is happening, and having objects placed in their mouths.
This article provides key information and tips on how to support clients experiencing psychological trauma.
Topics covered in this article include:
- Common psychological trauma symptoms
- Fight, flight, and freeze responses
- Recognizing and addressing dissociation
- Responding to disclosures
- Psychological first aid
- Principles of trauma-informed care
- Prioritizing self-care
Psychological trauma is on the rise, and since spontaneous disclosures of psychological trauma to oral health practitioners are rare, it is essential that the oral health team is skilled to recognize and respond to psychological trauma symptoms.
