ADA webinar focuses on dental role in assisting victims of human trafficking

Offering from the ADA's Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention will stream Feb. 23

A free ADA webinar scheduled for Feb. 23 will discuss what dentists can do to help identify and assist patients who might be victims of human trafficking.

Human Trafficking: What ED Physicians Want Dentists to Know About Identifying At-Risk Patients will stream from noon-1 p.m. Central time.

Presented by the ADA's Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention, the webinar features a physician's
perspective on what dentists need to know to increase awareness, best practices for screening and what to do when faced with these potential sensitive situations.

The presenter is Merle A. Carter, M.D., executive vice chair of emergency medicine at Einstein Healthcare Network who has oversight of three emergency departments in Philadelphia and Montgomery County in Pennsylvania.

"As many as 88% of victims report a visit to a health care provider during their exploitation, however most do not self-identify or report this abuse," Dr. Carter said. "Dentists and other health care providers have a critical role in identifying victims and intervening. We will discuss how to identify trafficked victims, initial strategies for intervention and [how to include] documentation in the health care record."

Participants will earn one hour of continuing education credit.