This presentation highlights how trauma-informed care (TIC) strengthens client engagement, clinical outcomes, and workforce resilience—especially for people with HIV, a population disproportionately affected by trauma, stigma, and structural barriers. Drawing from implementation projects, educational initiatives, and practice transformation efforts, this session demonstrates how integrating TIC principles into dental and interprofessional healthcare settings improves trust, adherence, communication, and overall health experiences. Participants will explore the neurobiological and behavioral effects of trauma, recognize how trauma intersects with whole person-centered HIV care, and learn practical strategies to create safe and person-centered environments. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration, culturally responsive care, and systems-level change to ensure care delivery is clinically effective, compassionate, and responsive to lived experience.

Speaker:
Jill A. York, DDS, MAS, FICD, FACD
Assistant Dean for the Extramural Clinics Hunterdon Endowed Chair for Dental Public Health Professor, Department of Community Health 

Learning Objectives:

1. Define trauma-informed care and explain its relevance to improving health outcomes for people with HIV.
2. Describe the relationship between trauma exposure and HIV-related health behaviors, including treatment adherence, engagement in care, and oral health outcomes.
3. Recognize clinical and behavioral indicators of trauma that may influence interactions with people with HIV in dental and healthcare settings.
4. Apply trauma-informed communication strategies that foster psychological safety, trust, and empowerment for individuals affected by HIV.
5. Identify systems-level approaches that integrate TIC principles into HIV service delivery, training programs, and interprofessional practice.
6. Develop actionable steps to reduce stigma, prevent re-traumatization, and promote respectful, person-centered care for people with HIV.

Continuing Dental Education

The Association for Dental Safety (ADS) is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

ADS designates this activity for 1.00 continuing education credits.

This continuing education activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the standards of the ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) through joint efforts between ADS and the New England AIDS Education and Training Center (NEAETC).

Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.

All participants assume individual responsibility for providing evidence of contact hours of continuing education to the appropriate authorities and for the maintenance of their individual records.

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.

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