As Pride month draws to an end, we hear from two dental professionals who explain why it is so integral to dentistry.
Anna Peterson – dental hygienist
I’ve been someone that has for many years hidden my sexuality because of being ashamed of it. For me, celebrating Pride travels so much deeper in me than rainbows and parades, which I think a lot of people not within the community see it as.
We don’t have to look far back into history to see why it’s important that we celebrate being able to be openly part of the LGBTQ+ community.
It’s a fight for equal rights, it’s a fight for protection and feeling safe. For me, it’s about being respected by others and also myself. It’s a way of thanking those who paved the way for us to be openly gay, honouring the Stonewall riots, a movement that shows how far we have come – but highlighting what still needs to be done.
We should never feel ashamed of who we are and, more importantly, we should never be punished for it.
Unfortunately this isn’t shared around the world. People are still having to hide their sexuality and people are still being punished.
I’m so proud of how far we have come but the community will not stop until we have equality, respect and safety.
Georgina Wiseman – dental nurse
I am a registered dental nurse and I have been in the profession since 2019. I chose this career knowing we have a duty of care to respect patients no matter their background.
Celebrating Pride is about inclusivity in dentistry – it is highly important to us as dental care professionals to celebrate patients individuality and make them feel comfortable in our setting, free from discrimination while expressing equality.
I have made a conscious effort to always advocate for patients who identify in the LGBTQ+ community. The GDC principles state as number one ‘Put the patients’ interests first’. I believe this is valid in relation to celebrating Pride. We always need to support our patients interests and wants and standing with Pride advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.
Regardless of our GDC principles, I believe as a human being we owe it to each other to respect one another. Celebrating Pride helps us achieve that step to honour the GDC principles that we swore to uphold.
It is important for all dental care professionals to remain educated in the matters of the LGBTQ+ community in order to keep our standards.
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