A new study uncovers how dental shame prevents many from seeking necessary care, exacerbating oral health inequalities. Researchers call for non-judgmental, inclusive care to combat this issue.
In a recent study that delivers a wake-up call to the health care community, researchers have found that feelings of shame surrounding dental issues can prevent individuals from seeking necessary treatments, exacerbating oral health inequalities.
The study, conducted by Louise Folker, Esben Boeskov Øzhayat and Astrid Pernille Jespersen from the University of Copenhagen, Luna Dolezal, from the University of Exeter, Lyndsey Withers, a community volunteer, Martha Paisi, from Peninsula Dental School at the University of Plymouth, and Christina Worle, a dentist, emphasizes the deeply rooted impact of dental shame.
“Shame can help explain why some people don’t like to expose their teeth to dentists or tell them they smoke or have a poor diet,” Dolezal, a professor at the University of Exeter and leader of its Shame and Medicine research project, said in a news release.
“This can turn dental shame into a self-reinforcing spiral, where shame about oral health can lead to unfortunate oral health behaviours, which can potentially intensify oral health issues and inequities, leading to more shame.,” she added.
The researchers spotlight how individuals, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds or who have experienced deprivation, trauma or abuse, are disproportionately affected by dental shame. This phenomenon often leads to lower self-worth, social isolation and neglect of oral health care, thus worsening their conditions.
Shame, both intentional and unintentional, can be fostered by health care practitioners. However, using shame to try to motivate positive health behaviors does not guarantee beneficial change.
“It is important to have non-judgmental environments where patients feel trustful and empowered to prioritize their oral health,” added Dolezal.
The study, published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, underscores the necessity for those in dentistry and related health and social care fields to be trained in “shame competence.” This involves understanding and addressing systemic barriers that contribute to dental shame, designing empathetic and inclusive care environments, and identifying and mitigating shame dynamics in policies and practices.
Such training could lead to systemic changes, ensuring the creation of supportive environments where individuals feel safe and motivated to seek the dental care they need.
The researchers also point out that health care fee structures can exacerbate dental shame, indicating the need for policy reform to make dental care more accessible and less stigmatizing.
The findings are part of the Lifelong Oral Health project at the University of Copenhagen, which aims to identify barriers to oral health in Danish elderly care settings and acknowledges the significant impact of dental shame in these environments.
Source: University of Exeter