Roles of dentistry in identifying and supporting individuals who have experienced gender-based violence: a scoping...

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant public health concern affecting one in three women globally. GBV is deeply rooted in gender inequality and societal constructs of gender roles, which significantly contribute to its prevalence and impact on women. Injury to the head, face, and neck, including broken teeth and jaws, is common in GBV, as is dental neglect, indicating a role for dental care. However, the impact of maxillofacial injuries or poor oral health and the role dental professionals may play in supporting individuals experiencing GBV are often overlooked. This review aimed to explore the research question: What is known in the literature about the roles of dentistry in identifying and supporting individuals who have experienced GBV?

A search strategy including dental care and GBV-related text words and subject headings was developed and run across seven databases. Searches were not limited by date, location, or language. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they (1) described or evaluated provision of, need for, or outcomes of dental care; AND (2) focused on individuals who had experienced GBV aged 18+. Data were extracted from articles meeting inclusion criteria and narrative synthesis used to describe and synthesise findings.

84 articles met inclusion criteria, predominantly published in the United States and focused on dental care providers' knowledge, perceptions, and actions related to GBV. Only four identified articles looked at dental care interventions tailored to GBV. Individuals who experienced GBV were found to experience high rates of maxillofacial injury because of the violence. They also reported more oral health issues, negative perceptions of their teeth, and irregular dental visits than individuals who have not experienced GBV. Dental professionals were generally underprepared to support individuals experiencing GBV, but training interventions proved effective in increasing knowledge and competency. Overall, the literature supported a need for dental care in GBV and a tailored approach to supporting individuals who have experienced GBV.

GBV can have profound impacts on oral health. There is a lack of knowledge about GBV in dental settings and the need to include GBV in dental curricula and further training is often overlooked. Policies and mandatory guidelines are necessary to ensure that GBV education and training are integrated into dental care settings. Trauma-informed dental care, integration of dental care into GBV support settings, and broader awareness of GBV among dental care providers are also needed.