Abstract
This qualitative study aimed to obtain a deeper understanding of what makes adult dentistry possible for child sexual abuse survivors. Sixteen adult informants were recruited from four Centres against Sexual Abuse and interviewed. Qualitative analysis of the transcribed interviews was conducted consecutively until thematic saturation was reached at 16 informants. A conceptual framework was generated, and informants' experiences of what makes dental treatment achievable were summed as the dentist working in a trauma-sensitive way, captured by the core category: Being considerate every step of the way. The underlying categories are: (i) offering a good start; (ii) being competent; (iii) being aware of the influence of staff behaviour; (iv) building a safe relationship; (v) arranging a secure treatment situation; and (vi) exploring individual triggers. The findings revealed that dental staff should have adequate competence to build secure relationships and explore individual triggers in dental treatment situations when treating child sexual abuse survivors. Dentists should have a trauma-sensitive approach to all patients. When treating child sexual abuse survivors, dentists should demonstrate utmost consideration every step of the way, building long-term solid relationships, and discussing and testing coping strategies individually adapted to the specific needs of the child sexual abuse survivors, in a safe environment.
Highlights
The findings revealed that dental staff should have adequate competence to build secure relationships and explore individual triggers in dental treatment situations when treating child sexual abuse survivors
Among the same sample of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors, it was found that interpersonal factors concerning communication, trust, fear of negative information, and lack of control, were rated as much more fear-evoking for CSA survivors than for women who had dental anxiety but no CSA experience [7]
The data analysis generated a conceptual framework capturing how dental treatment is made achievable for CSA survivors through showing consideration every step of the way in the treatment
Summary
A grounded theory (GT) approach following the principles set out by CHARMAZ [12], which includes guides on reading, re-reading, and coding the interviews, was chosen as the research method. Memo writing was used to aid data collection. This variant of GT is useful in research fields where theory surrounding the phenomenon has not been fully developed. Patterns and synthesized themes were constructed from the informants’ experiences and perspectives
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