The devastating effects of childhood abuse on a survivor’s life are multifaceted. For *Becky*, a childhood abuse survivor, her experience is a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of trauma on a person’s life.
Becky’s story is not an isolated one. According to dental professionals, survivors of sexual violence, family violence, and abuse often face significant hurdles in accessing crucial dental care after an oral injury or dental anxiety caused by sexual trauma.
The Physical and Emotional Toll
Dentists have reported that victims of sexual violence and abuse often develop phobias of dentists, strangers touching their mouth, and other orofacial-related issues. This phobia can lead to significant anxiety, fear, and avoidance of dental care, making it challenging for survivors to access essential dental services.
- Decay and tooth loss can occur due to lack of proper oral care and maintenance, exacerbating the emotional distress caused by the trauma.
- The fear of dentists can lead to avoidance of necessary treatments, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment of dental issues.
- Oral anxiety can also lead to difficulties in eating, speaking, and social interactions, further affecting the survivor’s quality of life.
Barriers to Accessing Dental Care
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) operates a volunteer clinic, Rebuilding Smiles, to provide free, essential dental care to survivors of violence. The program relies on funding from the ADA, Colgate, and Straumann.
| Funding | Provider |
|---|---|
| ADA | Volunteer clinic |
| Colgate | Funding |
| Straumann | Funding |
The Importance of Timely Dental Care
Women’s Community Shelters CEO Annabelle Daniel emphasizes the significance of access to timely and restorative dental treatment for survivors of domestic and family violence.
“Because we know it has a huge impact on people’s self-esteem when they have dental injuries, and it can impact someone’s ability to get a job, how they present, and all of those unconscious judgments that employers might have.”
Ms. Daniel also highlights the interconnectedness of oral health with overall physical health, stating that recovery from domestic and family violence should include dental care as part of the comprehensive care.
A Call for Action
The Australian government’s National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence report outlines four pillars: prevention, early intervention, response, and recovery. The recovery and healing component commits to reducing the risk of re-traumatization by supporting victim-survivors as they recover from their trauma.
Advocates argue that access to dental care is a critical aspect of this recovery process, and that the government has an unfunded commitment to support survivors in accessing timely and essential dental services.
Conclusion
The forgotten aspect of recovery from childhood abuse is the lack of access to essential dental care. Survivors like Becky face significant barriers in accessing dental care, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment of dental issues. The government has a responsibility to provide support for survivors in accessing dental care as part of their comprehensive recovery process.
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