Table 2.

Ten inclusive dental and dental hygiene practice strategies^4,6,16,26

1. Gender-neutral washrooms (without male or female labels on the door) to increase comfort and inclusivity

2. Use of preferred language and terminology. Most transgender individuals prefer pronouns that reflect their gender identity, while some prefer gender-neutral pronouns: He/him/his for transmen She/her/hers for transwomen They/zhe/thon for gender-neutral

3. Separate sections on the dental chart for “sex at birth” and “gender identity”

4. Separate sections on the dental chart for “legal name” and “chosen name”

5. Asking about client-specific pronouns or how the client would like to be addressed

6. Efforts to avoid making assumptions about gender or using terms such as “darling” or “dude”

7. Posting a rainbow flag or sticker as a sign of acceptance and comfort to clients and families

8. Connecting clients and families with local resources if possible

9. Becoming educated on the specific health issues faced by the transgender community and being knowledgeable about the recommended standards of practice

10. Having a designated private area for transgender clients in case they wish to discuss sensitive matters or confidential information