Include-integrate-involve: Deciphering oral healthcare providers’ professional demeanor towards sexual and gender minority cohorts in a metropolitan city of western India

Abstract

ObjectivesThe Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGM) have been subject to disparities in healthcare. This study gauges and compares the demeanor of oral health task force in privately-funded and government-funded dental schools of India towards SGM cohorts. Study designA descriptive, cross-sectional, point prevalent study was conducted following standard statements of the STROBE guidelines and using the Medical Condition Regard Scale (MCRS). It was conducted among the clinical oral health taskforce hailing from private-funded and government-funded institutes. MethodsOne-way ANOVA test computed differences in mean MCRS scores among the undergraduates, postgraduates and faculty. Independent t-test compared responses of participants from private institutions and government institutions using SPSS version 17 statistical software. ResultsAll the respondents were mostly but not completely satisfied to work with SGM patients (MCRS score ​= ​4.55 ​± ​1.114) indicative of some underlying hesitance. Though everyone had a positive regard, undergraduates and those from private institutions felt more compassionate and showed greater willingness to put in extra efforts to help them feel at ease (P-value <0.05). This is interpretive of more receptiveness towards specialized training and policy reforms of these individuals. ConclusionThe significant differences between institutes and designations highlight disparities in knowledge and training resulting in the underlying hesitation. Health education urgently needs a targeted and focused SGM-related training program to deconstruct these disparities and provide equitable oral and general health for all individuals irrespective of their sexual orientation.