Did you know that dental professionals are often in a unique position to identify victims of human trafficking?
Nearly 80% of trafficking victims will encounter a healthcare provider during captivity, yet most cases go unrecognized due to lack of awareness. With the increasing urgency of this public health crisis, the American Dental Association (ADA) now mandates that all new dentists and dental hygienists complete a human trafficking awareness course. This training provides dental professionals with the skills to recognize warning signs, ensure patient safety, and refer victims to appropriate resources. Participants earn ADA certification, fulfilling both a legal requirement and a commitment to patient welfare.
This blog breaks down why this course is necessary, what dental professionals can learn, and how it can make a difference in the lives of trafficking victims.
The Growing Need for Human Trafficking Awareness in Dentistry
Human trafficking remains a pressing and largely hidden issue in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that thousands of individuals are trafficked in the U.S. annually, often forced into situations involving physical labor or sexual exploitation. Many victims are women and children, with the average age of entry into trafficking for minors being between 12 and 14 years.
Trafficking cases often go undetected, as victims typically fear retribution from traffickers and are frequently controlled or monitored during medical and dental visits.
Healthcare settings, including dental practices, offer a rare opportunity for victims to interact with someone outside their immediate control. Because traffickers may not expect dental professionals to be trained in recognizing trafficking indicators, dental visits can sometimes be a safe space for victims to disclose their circumstances. With specialized training, dental professionals can recognize the signs and act as a frontline defense in protecting these individuals.
Why Dentists and Hygienists Are Uniquely Positioned to Help
The work environment of dental professionals’ places them in a unique position to observe physical and behavioral signs of abuse. Dentists and hygienists have the advantage of observing areas often impacted by abuse, such as the face, mouth, and head. Injuries common among trafficking victims include untreated facial trauma, broken teeth, and other oral injuries that may arise from physical violence. The following indicators are some of the most common red flags that dental teams are trained to recognize:
- Physical Injuries: Trafficking victims often present with visible injuries like bruising, head trauma, broken teeth, or untreated infections. These signs may be especially visible in the face and mouth, where dental professionals can closely examine them.
- Signs of Neglect: Victims might have untreated dental decay, malnutrition, or poor hygiene, signaling restricted access to basic care.
- Accompanied by Controlling Individuals: Traffickers often accompany victims to appointments, monitoring their every interaction. This may manifest as a controlling “friend,” “partner,” or “relative” who refuses to let the victim speak alone with the provider.
- Non-typical Behaviors or Responses: Victims might seem fearful, anxious, or show signs of avoidance. In some cases, they may avoid eye contact or seem coached in their responses to questions, indicating a fear of repercussion if they reveal too much.
The ADA’s training ensures dental professionals are equipped to recognize these signs and know how to create a safe environment to interact with patients privately, allowing victims to communicate freely if they choose.
ADA-Certified Training for Human Trafficking Awareness
The ADA’s human trafficking awareness course aims to educate dental professionals on the complex dynamics of human trafficking. The course has become a requirement for all new dentists and hygienists as part of a broader effort to combat this growing problem. Here’s a closer look at what the course includes and how it supports dental professionals:
- Types and Dynamics of Human Trafficking: The course covers both labor and sex trafficking, explaining how traffickers recruit, control, and exploit their victims. Understanding these dynamics helps professionals recognize trafficking in its various forms.
- Identifying Physical and Behavioral Red Flags: Training emphasizes the importance of recognizing subtle and overt signs of trafficking. Dental professionals learn to spot physical injuries, behavioral cues, and other indicators that may signal distress.
- Trauma-Informed Care and Communication: Trauma-informed care is a patient-centered approach that acknowledges a victim’s past experiences and recognizes signs of trauma. Dental professionals learn to ask open-ended questions, maintain a non-judgmental tone, and allow patients to share information at their own pace.
- Legal Responsibilities and Reporting: The ADA course outlines the mandatory reporting laws for trafficking, abuse, and exploitation in each state. It provides detailed guidance on when and how to report suspicions to local authorities or anti-trafficking hotlines, along with an overview of key resources available to support victims.
- Local and National Resources: To ensure victims receive appropriate support, the course provides information on national hotlines, local shelters, and other resources available to trafficked individuals. Knowing these resources allows dental professionals to refer victims for continued care and safety.
After completing the training, participants receive a certification from the ADA, demonstrating their knowledge and readiness to address trafficking in their practice. This certification not only meets regulatory requirements in many states but also serves as a reminder of the critical role dental professionals play in identifying and supporting vulnerable individuals.
The Role of Trauma-Informed Care in Human Trafficking Awareness
Trauma-informed care is a significant aspect of the ADA’s human trafficking awareness training. For victims, trauma may stem not only from their trafficking experiences but also from previous abuse, poverty, or other adverse conditions. Trauma-informed care emphasizes empathy, patience, and a non-judgmental approach, which are essential in helping victims feel safe enough to disclose their circumstances. Key principles include:
- Safety: Create a secure environment by ensuring patients have private time to speak without interference from companions.
- Trustworthiness: Build trust by keeping patient information confidential and providing transparent explanations of all procedures.
- Empowerment: Empower victims by offering them control over the interaction. Asking simple questions like, “Would you prefer a male or female provider?” or “Do you need a translator?” can make patients feel more comfortable.
Using these principles, dental professionals can help victims feel safe and respected, which is often crucial for them to feel ready to seek help.
How Dental Professionals Can Make an Impact
The ADA’s certification program equips dental professionals to play an active role in addressing human trafficking. With over 650,000 licensed dental professionals in the U.S., increasing awareness and training in this field could have a substantial impact. Trained dental teams can identify victims and make meaningful interventions, potentially changing the lives of those they assist. A survey of survivors indicates that 26.5% of victims saw a dentist while being trafficked, but few were identified. With the ADA’s training, more dental professionals can be prepared to recognize victims and act on suspicions, closing this gap.
Embracing the Role of Advocate
The ADA’s human trafficking awareness course is more than a compliance requirement. It’s an opportunity for dental professionals to become advocates for vulnerable populations, fulfilling an essential role in patient protection. By identifying signs, offering support, and knowing when and how to report suspicions, dental teams contribute to a national effort against trafficking.
Encouraging your team to complete this training not only meets legal obligations but also transforms dental practices into safe spaces. Dental professionals who understand the complexities of trafficking can make a real difference in their communities, offering hope and resources to those in need.