Reconnecting Practicing Hygienists with the Nation's Leading Educators and Researchers.

Caring for the Undocumented

What guidance can you provide regarding patient care for undocumented immigrants?

Cultural competence is the ability to connect and communicate with people from different backgrounds and it helps to improve patient-provider communication and trust, increase patient satisfaction and compliance, enhance oral health outcomes and quality of life, reduce risk of malpractice, and support professional development. To achieve cultural competence, dental hygienists should be aware of their own cultural values and biases, as well as those of their patients. They also need to respect the differences and similarities among people of various cultures. Moreover, they must acquire the skills to effectively interact with patients from diverse backgrounds.

Cultural competence is important for providing quality care to recent immigrants, regardless of their legal status. Undocumented immigrants in the United States are likely to lack health insurance, which can make it difficult to access healthcare. However, some health facilities offer medical care to undocumented immigrants on a sliding scale. Undocumented immigrants also may qualify for emergency Medicaid.1 Besides finances, recent immigrants may face other barriers, such as language, culture, insurance, transportation, or fear of deportation.2,3 Dental professionals need to address these issues  with sensitivity and respect. Some strategies for engaging with recent immigrant patients are:4,5

  • Provide interpreters, translators, or multilingual materials to facilitate communication.
  • Learn about the oral health beliefs, practices, and needs of different cultural groups.
  • Build trust with patients by being empathetic, nonjudgmental, and culturally responsive.
  • Offer payment options, sliding fee scales, or pro bono services.
  • Collaborate with community organizations, social workers, or legal advocates to fill needs.
  • Create a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity and values human dignity.

Cultural competence in the dental office is not only a professional obligation, but also a moral and ethical responsibility.

References

  1. Lewis BA. Where can you go for care if you’re undocumented? Available at goodrx.c/​m/​healthcare-access/​patient-advocacy/​healthcare-undocumented. Accessed November 4, 2024.
  2. Hung C. Dental professionals and cultural competency. Available at dentaltown.com/​magazine/​article/쵍/​dental-professionals-and-cultural-competency. Accessed November 4, 2024.
  3. Monnin B. Cultivating cultural competency in the dental setting. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. 2018;16(1):40-43.
  4. Strategies for Engaging With Dental Patients From Different Cultural Backgrounds. Available at mydentisthub.com/​blog/​strategies-for-engaging-with-dental-patients-from-different-cultural-backgrounds/​. Accessed November 4, 2024.
  5. Sable Indutries Inc. What Cultural Competency Means in Dentistry and Why it Matters in Dentistry. Available at sableindustriesinc.com/​blog/​what-cultural-competency-means-in-dentistry-why-it-matters-in-2021. Accessed November 4, 2024.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. January/February 2025; 23(1):46.

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More

SAVE BIG ON CE BEFORE 2025!

Coupon has expired

Promotional Period: 12/14/24 – 12/31/24

Get Special CE Savings!