An Evaluation of a Trauma-Informed Care Training Programme Within a Dental Hospital.

PURPOSE: As evidence continues to accumulate for the association between psychological trauma and poor oral health outcomes, the need for Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) approaches in dental settings has become increasingly apparent. Training initiatives represent one promising approach to promoting TIC practices within dental settings. This study evaluated a training programme designed to improve TIC practices among Dental Hospital staff.

METHODS

The training program comprised an interactive session covering understanding psychological trauma, how to respond to this in dentistry, and self-care for dental staff, administered over 3 hours. Dental, nursing, and administrative staff completed measures to evaluate their confidence and attitudes toward TIC practice before training, immediately after training, and approximately 1 year after the final training session.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed that participants consistently rated the session as highly relevant and useful. Furthermore, participants' self-reported confidence toward TIC showed significant improvement following attendance at the training (p < 0.001), with average confidence levels increasing by approximately 30% after the training. Additionally, there was a significant difference in staff attitudes toward TIC between those who had completed the training and those who had not, approximately 1-year post-training.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that training programs such as ours can positively impact staff confidence and attitudes related to psychological trauma, potentially enhancing the dental experience for people with a history of psychological trauma.