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