Journal of the American Dental Assocation (JADA)Barriers to Oral Health Care for Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Populations

In this study, of the 118 transgender and gender nonbinary (TGNB) patients, one-third of participants reported misgendering (being addressed in the dental environment using the wrong name and pronouns). Although refusal of oral health care was uncommon in our sample of TGNB participants, more than half believed that their regular source of oral health care was unable to provide gender-appropriate care. Avoidance owing to gender identity was found to be substantially related to self-reported unsatisfactory dental health. Gender insensitivity, awkward interactions, avoidance of care, and a lack of gender-affirming practitioners were all common themes un participants’ oral health care experiences.