07 - Dentistry Behind Bars: Transforming Lives Inside a Women's Prison

Christina Worle works as a general dentist in a women’s prison in South Gloucestershire. She is especially interested in the application of trauma informed dentistry and how to best care for patients who have suffered traumatic past life events which may make dentistry difficult for them.   Christina is also the dental strategy clinical lead for Gloucestershire ICB and is passionate about representing primary care dentistry at an NHS leadership level and using her significant experience of working with socially excluded groups of people to improve oral health inequalities. She is also a trustee of the dental charity Den-Tech. Christina Worle shares her experience and insights into the world of prison dentistry, highlighting the unique challenges and limitations faced in providing dental care to incarcerated individuals. From security procedures and patient triage to treatment planning and lab relationships, Christina's work sheds light on the complexities of dental care within the prison system. Her emphasis on trauma-informed dentistry and the impact of dental care on patient confidence and quality of life provides valuable insights into the unique nature of prison dentistry. The conversation delves into the challenges of communication in prison dentistry, highlighting the limitations and barriers faced by dental technicians and practitioners. It also explores the impact of working in a prison environment on one's perspective and trust in society, shedding light on the emotional and ethical considerations involved in the work. Takeaways Prison dentistry involves treating patients with complex dental needs and trauma histories. The nature of prison dentistry presents unique challenges and limitations for dental care. Challenges of Communication Impact of Work on Perspective Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Prison Dentistry 07:05 Patient Care and Treatment Challenges 22:09 Clinical Dentistry and Lab Relationships 28:47 Shades, Impressions, and Digital Dentistry 38:36 Challenges of Communication in Prison Dentistry 46:23 Impact of Work on Perspective and Society Music Licenced from Premium Beats. Licence ID: N7A69UNBLBBSE0S4