Being more inclusive in practice

Language barriers

Language is one of our greatest tools, but we need to remember that not everyone has the same skill levels in English. There are many people who can find even general conversations daunting, let alone communications about their health that could include more complex language.

In the UK, the proportion of people who can’t speak English is likely to be higher than you would imagine. Language data gathered in 2018 by the Government suggests that 1.6% of the UK population are unable to speak English well or at all, with further data showing that the vast majority of these individuals are women. Interestingly, this data also reveals that the second most common spoken language in the UK is Polish (though this does not include native languages Scots and Welsh which are both more common). This shows that while English may be the main language of our country, there are thousands of people who are speaking it as a second language.[i]

So, what can dental practices do to help overcome language barriers? One of the first steps is to ensure that speech remains simple and clear. Jargon is already off-putting even for those with good English language skills, but it can make conversations all but incomprehensible for individuals who don’t have a high standard of English. It may also be worth investing in materials in other languages, especially if you notice that a high portion of your patient base are not native speakers. These can be easily found online and can make all the difference.

A deeper look at gender

In recent years, people have started to explore their own identity in more depth. This has meant that there are growing numbers of people who identify as the opposite sex to what they were assigned at birth, as gender fluid or non-binary. While true figures are difficult to ascertain, surveys have suggested that about 1 in 250 people identify as non-binary (0.4% of the population) – though it is worth mentioning that this figure is from 2014, so therefore likely to not truly reflect society ten years later.[ii] A more recent survey that spoke to thousands of LGBT+ identifying individuals found that in over 100,000 respondents 6.9% were non-binary, 3.5% were trans women and 2.9% were trans men.[iii]

From these statistics we can paint the picture of a society that is becoming more fluid and diverse – meaning that it’s a good idea to adopt more inclusive language in communications moving forward. Some huge bodies have already adopted this approach (such as the NHS) and dental practices can easily follow suit by asking about preferred pronouns when signing patients on, as well as making existing patients aware that they can adjust their preferences if necessary. This way you can show you value their gender identity while also being able to tailor any communications to them, supporting excellent patient care.

Accessibility for all

It’s not just language that needs to be adjusted to be more inclusive. Access for those with disabilities is also a huge conversation, and dental practices should be making efforts to assist those with disabilities where possible, especially in terms of access and treatment. This is especially pertinent when you consider that there are 14.6 million physically disabled individuals in the UK.[iv]

While some changes to practice architecture aren’t always possible (such as the installation of ramps), any changes of this type should be implemented where possible. Plus, professionals can also harness technology to make treatment more inclusive as an extra way to provide better care for all.

For instance, the CS 9600 CBCT system from Carestream Dental is the only unit of its class with an integrated patient seat and AI-assisted positioning, helping to create a better-quality scan for all, including those with disabilities. Plus, with 5-in-1 functionality, 14 fields of view and low dose imaging, it’s little wonder the system is a 4-time winner of the Cellerant Best Of Class Technology Award.

A space for all

Making your practice more inclusive isn’t difficult. By adjusting language where necessary, avoiding jargon, and investing in technology that can support better treatment for all, you’ll find that your practice is well suited to support patients from all walks of life.

For more information, contact Carestream Dental on 0800 169 9692 or

visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

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Author:

Nimisha Nariapara is the Trade Marketing Manager at Carestream Dental covering the UK, Middle East, Nordics, South Africa, Russia and CIS regions. She has worked at Carestream Dental for the past 7 years, where she has developed her marketing skills and industry knowledge to bring the core values and philosophy of the company to the market.

[i] Gov.uk. English Language Skills. Link: https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-ethnicity/demographics/english-language-skills/latest#:~:text=while%20just%201.6%25%20of%20the,girls%20or%20women%20(510%2C000%20people) [Last accessed August 22].

[ii] Practical Androgyny. How Many People In The UK Are Non-binary. Link: https://practicalandrogyny.com/2014/12/16/how-many-people-in-the-uk-are-nonbinary/ [Last accessed August 22].

[iii] Gov.uk. National LGBT Survey: Summary Report 2019. Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-lgbt-survey-summary-report/national-lgbt-survey-summary-report#:~:text=Of%20the%20total%20sample%2C%206.9,had%20transitioned%20from%20woman%20to [Last accessed August 22].

[iv] Scope. Disability Facts and Figures. Link: https://www.scope.org.uk/media/disability-facts-figures/#:~:text=There%20are%2014.6%20million%20disabled%20people%20in%20the%20UK. [Last accessed August 22].