Students’ knowledge, comfort, attitudes, and training on oral health of transgender individuals: A pilot study

Abstract

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate students’ knowledge, comfort, attitudes, and formal training on oral health of transgender individuals.MethodsA single‐site cross‐sectional study of 223 students from four educational programs were invited to participate in this study. A 17‐item survey was modified from two previous instruments with permission. The electronic survey was disseminated via Google Forms two times 6 weeks a part. Analyses were conducted using R version 4.1.1. Survey responses were summarized as means and standard deviations. Comparisons of survey responses by program type, age group, prior degree, and gender were performed using the chi‐square test for association and analysis of variance.ResultsA total of118 completed the survey for a 53% response rate. Students disagreed (26.3%) they had knowledge on hormone treatments or non‐hormonal treatment (40.7%) and strongly disagreed (40.7%) they had knowledge on oral manifestations of hormonal or non‐hormonal therapies. Students strongly agreed they are comfortable treating transgender patients (63.6%) and believe it is the responsibility of all healthcare providers to care for transgender patients (83.1%). Students disagreed they are prepared to care for transgender patients (40.7%) or that their faculty demonstrate competency caring for transgender patients undergoing hormonal treatment (21.4%).ConclusionStudents are comfortable providing oral health care to transgender individuals and feel a responsibility to care for them. Formal training on hormonal and non‐hormonal therapy for transgender individuals is needed in dental education programs to enhance students’ knowledge and faculty competence.