Why aren’t we doing better? Are dentists and dental students prepared to support patients with lived experience of intimate partner violence and abuse?

Abstract Introduction Intimate partner violence and abuse (IPVA) is a public health crisis with long term implications for an individual’s mental and physical health. IPVA can result in head and neck trauma, including oral injuries, placing dentists in a unique position to be able to identify at risk patients. It is therefore important to understand any barriers dentists may experience when supporting IPVA patients. Aims The aim of this study was to explore whether dentists and dental students are prepared to support patients with lived experience of IPVA. Method This study adopted a qualitative cross-sectional research design using focus groups and interviews. Data was collected using the principles of grounded theory and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Data was collected from 14 dentists and 22 dental students. Results showed that dentists and dental students did not feel confident or prepared identifying and responding to patients they suspected were experiencing IPVA. Barriers included a lack of practical knowledge and fear of ‘getting it wrong’ resulting in professional paralysis. Conclusion Improving current safeguarding educational frameworks at both undergraduate and postgraduate could be key to improving the confidence and practical knowledge of dental practitioners.