Community DentistryThe Management of a Muslim Patient

Samy Darwish

Wahidah/Denty/Khairunnisaa/Nurul ‘Adilah

Content Page

Objectives

Summary of Article

Relevance to OHTs in Singapore

Prayer

Fasting

Hijab/Tudung

Gender issue

Dental materials

Summary- learning points

References

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Objectives

Explain how cultural competency is important to the

provision of oral health care in Singapore

To provide insight on managing a Muslim patient

Focus on certain points relevant to Oral Health Therapists

in Singapore

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Article - Summary

This article provides

knowledge of the normal

practices and belief of

Muslims and explains rituals

done by Muslims that may

affect dental treatment

offered.

It is necessary for us to

manage Muslim patients well,

due to the significance of

Singapore’s multi-racial &

multi-religious population.

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Relevance to us, as OHTs

encounters with Madrasah students

✔ operator-patient

relationship

cultural competence and

understand certain actions or

decisions made by patient

effective patient care to meet standards of

patient

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Prayer

Friday prayers (for males only)

Management:

Appointments may have to be short/fast

Avoid afternoon appointments

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Fasting

Yearly practice in the month of Ramadhan

Lasts for 29-30 days

Issues with dental treatment during fasting

month:Wrong diagnosis of malodour

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Fasting

Refusal for certain procedures

LA

Extraction

Refusal for dental treatment

Accidental swallowing of water

Foreign object in mouth

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FastingManagement:

Comply to patient’s belief

Eg: if patient believes that brushing/flossing will invalidate their

fast, operator has to accommodate without compromising the

patient’s oral health

Reschedule appointment

Postpone certain dental treatments

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Hijab/Tudung

Management:

Ask for consent to remove hijab (if necessary)

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Gender issue

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Management:

Find out if patient has any

request

Eg: for staff of the same

gender

Gender issue

Management:

Operator has to be cautious when treating

Muslim patients of the opposite gender;

minimize direct skin contact, maintain

professional physical proximity

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Dental Materials

Prohibited materials:

Alcohol based mouthwashes

Porcine materials- bone grafting

Gold restorations for males; crowns

Management:

Provide all treatment options, allow patient to make own decision

Inform patient of the materials if they are not aware

Respect patient’s decision/wish

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Conclusion

Dental professionals should be aware of religious and

cultural rituals that affects management of patient in order

to treat the patient with empathy and understanding

We should be open-minded to culture-specific patient

opinions and health beliefs, and acknowledge how it

affects dental and medical decision making in everyday

life

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Thanks for listening!

References

http://www.bu.edu/bhlp/Resources/Islam/health/guidelines.html#Respect

TIPS FOR DENTAL CARE DURING FASTING, Reported by Tuti Ningseh Mohd Dom & Shahida Mohd Said

http://dentalzara.com/v1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77:dentalcare-during-fasting&catid=56:dental-story-category&Itemid=91

http://www.freedentistfinder.com/articles/257/Muslims-Need-Special-Oral-Care-During-Holy-Month-of-Ramadan.html

http://www.dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/ddhright.aspx?id=13230#.UK9zVo5BoTN

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