Survivors of sexual and domestic assault avoid the dentist, research finds

Content Warning: The following discusses content that may be distressing for some.

A report published at the World Dental Congress in Sydney has found a growing number of sexual and domestic assault survivors are avoiding the dentist, fearing the enclosed proximity and confines of the chair will re-trigger trauma.

75 per cent of injuries from violence involve the head, neck, face and mouth, which are the main areas of the body that dentists work with.

Image: Image: Pexels-Anna Shvets

Produced By: Remy Naughton

Featured In Story: Dr Sharonne Zacks AO – Dentist in Melbourne, and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 28th September 2023