In the UK, around one in four women and one in seven men experience domestic abuse during their life, including psychological, emotional, physical, sexual or financial abuse, and/or coercion, control or stalking. Healthcare professionals are at even higher risk.
Working in partnership with researchers at Bristol Medical School’s Domestic Violence and Abuse Health Research Group (DVAHG), the college is inviting all dental professionals to join a free webinar to learn how to recognise signs of abuse among colleagues or patients and act accordingly, and is encouraging all those in the profession who have experienced abuse, or supported colleagues who may have done so, to complete the DVAHG’s survey.
The webinar, Domestic abuse in dentistry – speak out, will take place at 7 pm on November 1, 2022.
Preetee Hylton, a dental nurse, safeguarding lead and domestic abuse survivor, together with Dr Alison Gregory and Dr Sandi Dheensa of Bristol Medical School, will help participants:
- Understand the various types of domestic abuse, and recognise the possible signs
- Be confident in assisting patients and colleagues who require support
- Work together as a team to create a safe space in the workplace
- Grasp the importance of the Employer’s Initiative on Domestic Abuse
The webinar, hosted by the college and available through ProDental CPD, is free to view live for all dental professionals, but prior registration is required. It is part of the college's study programme, which includes another 13 free-to-all webinars between now and March 2023. College members have free access to all recordings afterwards as part of their library of over 1,000 hours of GDC-compliant CPD.
The survey of primary care staff in England is part of the pressure study, which is examining:
- The impact of healthcare professionals’ own experiences of domestic abuse and coercive control
- Whether dental practices and other healthcare employers have useful policies for staff who are experiencing domestic abuse
- What help and support healthcare professionals who have experienced domestic abuse seek or might need
- What implications there may be for managers and senior staff
The study is independent of the NHS and healthcare regulators. It is for healthcare workers who have experienced abuse, control, or violent behaviour from a partner, ex-partner or family member, and for staff who may support healthcare workers.
The survey closes on December 4, 2022, and its findings will inform recommendations to help improve healthcare employers’ policies.
Register by visiting P198 Domestic Abuse in Dentistry – Speak Out | ProDental CPD
Complete the survey here https://sscmredcap.bris.ac.uk/redcap/surveys/?s=Y77TJKRY3T94XJX9