Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America.
Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America.
PLoS One. 2022 Feb 25;17(2):e0264271. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264271. eCollection 2022.
In healthcare settings, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) populations often experience discrimination, leading to decreased healthcare services utilization. In this study we have tried to identify oral healthcare providers (OHP)'s perceptions toward LGBTQ+ patients, perceived barriers for LGBTQ+ patients in accessing oral health services, and whether they were open to inclusive oral healthcare practices. In addition, the experiences of LGBTQ+ patients in oral healthcare settings including their oral healthcare seeking behaviors and beliefs were also explored.
Descriptive, quantitative surveys were administered to OHPs and LGBTQ+ patients within Indiana and Michigan. Surveys contained questions about participant demographics, including gender and sexual minority status, and the presence of inclusive healthcare practices within the oral healthcare settings. Descriptive analyses and regression modeling were used to explore the distribution of participant responses and to identify predictors associated with patient comfort and OHP's attitudes toward LGBTQ+ patients.
Overall, 71% of LGBTQ+ patients reported regularly attending dental appointments; however, 43% reported feeling uncomfortable going to appointments and 34% reported being treated unfairly during appointments because of sexual orientation. Among OHPs, 84% reported that the healthcare settings where they practiced were welcoming for LGBTQ+ populations and 84% reported willingness to improve LGBTQ+ care. The presence of inclusive healthcare practices predicted comfort for LGBTQ+ patients (P < 0.10). Additionally, OHPs who either identified as an ally or as having a family member or close friend in the LGBTQ+ community had higher odds of feeling responsible to treat LGBTQ+ patients.
Many LGBTQ+ patients often experience discomfort in oral healthcare settings. While OHPs were largely unaware of this, evidence suggests the need for cultural competency training for OHPs.
在医疗保健环境中，女同性恋、男同性恋、双性恋、跨性别和酷儿（LGBTQ+）人群经常遭受歧视，导致他们减少使用医疗保健服务。在这项研究中，我们试图确定口腔保健提供者（OHP）对 LGBTQ+患者的看法、LGBTQ+患者在获得口腔健康服务方面面临的障碍，以及他们是否愿意接受包容的口腔保健实践。此外，还探讨了 LGBTQ+患者在口腔保健环境中的经历，包括他们的口腔保健寻求行为和信念。
在印第安纳州和密歇根州，对 OHP 和 LGBTQ+患者进行了描述性、定量调查。调查包含有关参与者人口统计学特征的问题，包括性别和性少数群体身份，以及口腔保健环境中包容性医疗保健实践的存在情况。使用描述性分析和回归建模来探索参与者反应的分布，并确定与患者舒适度和 OHP 对 LGBTQ+患者态度相关的预测因素。
总体而言，71%的 LGBTQ+患者报告定期看牙医；然而，43%的人报告在预约时感到不舒服，34%的人报告因性取向在预约时受到不公平待遇。在 OHP 中，84%的人报告他们执业的医疗保健环境对 LGBTQ+人群表示欢迎，84%的人报告愿意改善 LGBTQ+护理。包容性医疗保健实践的存在预测了 LGBTQ+患者的舒适度（P<0.10）。此外，认同自己是盟友或在 LGBTQ+社区中有家庭成员或亲密朋友的 OHP 更有可能感到有责任治疗 LGBTQ+患者。
许多 LGBTQ+患者在口腔保健环境中经常感到不适。虽然 OHP 对此知之甚少，但有证据表明需要对 OHP 进行文化能力培训。
