Culturally Sensitive Care in Dentistry: Understanding Patient Beliefs and Needs

By Crispian Scully and Nairn H. F. Wilson

In today’s multicultural society, modern healthcare delivery demands that dental professionals consider the religious, cultural, and ethical beliefs of patients as an integral part of their treatment. This is crucial in providing high-quality, patient-centered care.

Recognizing the need for cultural sensitivity, we have developed this comprehensive guide to provide dental teams with a valuable resource for delivering culturally sensitive care in everyday clinical practice. This book focuses on patient care, rather than technical dentistry or orofacial problems, and aims to promote a deeper understanding of diverse patient needs and beliefs.

The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity in Dentistry

The knowledge base required to be culturally sensitive is vast and complex. While lists of cultural traits and religious customs can be helpful, it’s essential to avoid stereotyping and recognize the considerable variation within every cultural and religious group. Our book provides guidelines as a starting point for individualizing dental healthcare, acknowledging that individuals’ views, practices, needs, and wishes vary widely and are influenced by factors such as religion, ethnicity, education, socioeconomic status, and acculturation.

Book Structure and Content

This book is divided into three sections, covering the many aspects of culturally sensitive healthcare, features of various religions and faiths, and cultural groups. The second and third sections are organized alphabetically for convenience, providing a comprehensive and easy-to-use reference guide. While we don’t attempt to be exhaustive, cross-referencing has been essential in creating a valuable resource for dental professionals.

A Global Perspective on Culturally Sensitive Oral Healthcare

Although based in the United Kingdom, our goal is to contribute to the improvement of culturally sensitive oral healthcare worldwide. By sharing our knowledge and expertise, we hope to make a positive impact on the delivery of patient-centered care globally.

Product Details:

• Publication Date: September 3, 2019
• Publisher: Quintessenz Verlag; 1st edition
• Language: English