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Reply to "Trauma-Informed Training for Dentistry"

Hello

Thank you for examining Dentistry and ACE relationship. I have many examples but will comment on a few. My ACE score is 10. My early memories include my father pulling me by the arm and making me open my mouth. He would then say "your teeth are yellow and dirty you need to brush them". I honestly don't even remember if I had a toothbrush and coming from a health prof. background I know that children need assistance when they are learning to brush and look after their own teeth. I have worked with immigrant children and part of our program was brushing after the lunch that was provided and a fluoride varnish program. It was a brilliant program and after three years of following these children the program was working to reduce dental caries, extractions, and improve brushing skills and the importance of dental care. This population were very poor, diets high in sugar (especially infants) and culturally dental health was not a priority.

I can only remember going to the dentist a few times in my childhood and the outcome was always grime  and I felt ashamed and very frightened of what my parents would say.

I have had dental issues all of my life. As part of my coping with stress I clench my teeth constantly during the day and of course all night long. I have a night guard. I now have TMJ disorder and am on a year wait list to see an oral surgeon who will do arthroscopic surgery. Have already had arthrocentesis. I am constantly chipping teeth and have had to have a recent extraction. The result of this condition causes facial pain, headaches, random tooth sensitivity etc. It limits my diet and my ability to open my mouth more than a finger and a half wide. 

I have no idea if this is a related issue, however I will mention it here. I have 3 daughters who were all molested as children by their paternal gf. My eldest daughter at the age of 27 was diagnosed with stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the lateral tongue. After many surgeries, chemotherapy,and radiation she is 4 years past her diagnoses. I am so grateful as 5 year survival rates are very low. Needless to say she has speech, swallowing, and severe dental issues following this aggressive treatment. Her appearance has changed dramatically. I can't help but wonder if this is somehow related to her past trauma and being parented by a mother with a high ACE score, "the body remembers".  

I have a wonderful dentist and had not thought about the ACE relationship. I believe she would be very open to receiving any information you may have regarding this subject. It is a place to start in increasing awareness. I live in Canada and am unsure of what if any ACE is considered in Canadian Dental practice or training. I would be happy to provide her with any information you may have. She may also have information to share with you. This would mean having a perhaps difficult conversation with her on my part, however, she is very approachable and always eager to provide comprehensive client centred care.

kind regards

Kris L

 

 

 

 

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