Human trafficking impacts millions of people around the world, and healthcare workers can play a critical intervention role as they may be a victim’s only contact outside the controlled environment. To understand training gaps, researchers at the West Virginia University School of Dentistry recently conducted a study investigating the preparedness of future dental professionals to recognize and assist human trafficking victims.
“Many survivors report that the simple act of a healthcare provider listening without judgment or unsolicited advice helped encourage them to seek resources or take a step toward leaving their trafficking situation,” Chris Ivanoff, DDS, professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and director of global engagement, said. “Awareness is a strong first step. Ongoing education, collaboration with local organizations, and advocacy for victims are essential to improving outcomes for trafficked individuals.”
Dr. Ivanoff led the study with support from School of Dentistry colleagues Aashish Pokhrel, a fourth-year Doctor of Dental Surgery student, and M. Suann Gaydos, MS, professor in the Department of Dental Hygiene and director of the Certified Tobacco Treatment Training Program.
The research, published in the Journal of the California Dental Association, involved more than 1,100 predoctoral dental and dental hygiene students and co-authors — Bogomil Andonov, DMD, PhD; Luiz Evaristo Ricci Volpato, DDS, PhD; Sneha Sapkota, BDS; Pallavi Nalamothu; Anirudha Agnihotry, DDS; and Athena E. Ivanoff, MD, PhD — from several countries. The study survey included translation into five languages to ensure question equivalency, content and format for participants in the United States, Bulgaria, Brazil, India and Nepal.
While all students enrolled in the WVU School of Dentistry complete a research project, for Pokhrel, the article served as his first publication and inspiration to continue research and advocacy in the future.
“Realizing the gap in awareness and preparedness made me immediately jump into this opportunity to participate in research led by my mentor, Dr. Ivanoff,” Pokhrel said. “It helped me understand how complex, common and overlooked the issue of human trafficking really is, and I plan to speak at events and in dental schools and collaborate with healthcare professionals to help others understand the importance of recognizing signs of abuse and trafficking and how to respond appropriately.”
According to the United Nations’ International Labour Organization, there are an estimated 27.6 million forced labor human trafficking victims worldwide and 22 million people in forced marriage. In the U.S., it is suggested that at least one in four victims will visit a dentist while being trafficked.
“Since many conspicuous injuries sustained by trafficked victims are in the head and neck region, dental students are as uniquely poised as licensed dentists to spot trafficking situations and take appropriate actions to assist victims or refer them for help,” Ivanoff explained. “However, without adequate training, the opportunities to intervene at these critical junctures will be tragically missed.”
Despite its existence in every region around the world, the researchers found that the segment of future healthcare professionals surveyed in their study had insufficient human trafficking training. Currently, most states in the U.S. do not regulate anti-trafficking education for healthcare providers. However, dentists and dental hygienists are mandated reporters of suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult and therefore must have knowledge of the indicators of human trafficking.
“We have seen that many programs lack structured education in this area,” Pokhrel explained. “I learnt to identify not only physical indicators but also behavioral and contextual cues that may point to exploitation. In the future, as a clinician, this knowledge will make me a more observant and compassionate provider. I will be more alert to subtle signs of distress, more skilled at asking sensitive questions, and better prepared to connect patients with appropriate resources while maintaining trust and safety.”
As one of the few professionals who may interact with a victim of human trafficking, the researchers emphasized that additional training is crucial for these clinicians to effectively identify and assist victims. The American Dental Education Association has also recently highlighted the importance of continuing education on the topic by offering a course titled “Hidden in Plain Sight: Human Trafficking and the Dental Team’s Response.”
“We ultimately hope to spur the inclusion of human trafficking training in dental education, as the role of the dentist is critical in ending this crime against humanity,” Ivanoff said. “A victim’s life may depend on it.”
-WVU-
jw/2/10/26
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