Hidden in Plain Sight: Human Trafficking and the Dental Team’s Response

Recorded On: 10/28/2025

Human trafficking is a pervasive and often hidden crime affecting individuals of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Dental professionals are uniquely positioned to identify potential victims because of the frequency and intimacy of oral health visits. This one-hour course provides an overview of both sex and labor trafficking, highlighting national statistics, common myths and indicators that may be observed in a dental setting. Participants will learn to recognize physical, behavioral and contextual “red flags,” document observations appropriately, and make informed referrals. The session also emphasizes the ethical and legal responsibilities of dental professionals when trafficking is suspected and reviews available reporting and support resources.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the nature and prevalence of human trafficking, including types and characteristics relevant to healthcare and dental settings.
Identify clinical and behavioral indicators (“red flags”) that may signal a patient is being trafficked.
Implement appropriate communication, referral, and reporting strategies consistent with professional, legal and ethical responsibilities.

This webinar is presented by the ADEA Section on Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues in Dentistry. Learn more about joining this Section, as well as ADEA's other Sections and Special Interest Groups (SIGs)  online. 

Original Release Date: Oct. 28, 2025

Expiration Date: Oct. 28, 2028

Questions? Contact learn@adea.org

Disclaimer

The purpose of this presentation is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests at this presentation express their own experience, opinions and conclusions. Guest statements do not express the viewpoint of ADEA. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity or therapy should not be construed as an ADEA endorsement.

CE Information

The American Dental Education Association is an ADA CERP-recognized Provider.

An evaluation form is available to participants after the conclusion of the live webinar. To earn continuing education (CE) credit for participation in the webinar, the online evaluation must be completed in full by Oct. 28, 2028. After completing the evaluation, webinar participants can print and save the CE Verification Form.

ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

The American Dental Education Association designates this activity for 1.0 continuing education credit.

All speakers agree that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.

Pamela Zarkowski, J.D.

Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs

University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

Professor Pamela Zarkowski serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Detroit Mercy. An educator for more than 45 years, she earned her BS, MPH in Dental Public Health, and Teaching Certificate in Community Dentistry from the University of Michigan, and her JD from Wayne State University.

A nationally recognized scholar and speaker, she has delivered over 400 presentations and authored more than 80 publications on professional, legal, and ethical issues in dentistry, as well as leadership, women’s health, cultural competence, and health literacy.

Professor Zarkowski is past president of the American Dental Education Association, the Society for Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine, and the American Society for Dental Ethics, and former chair of the ADEAGies Foundation. She serves on the Board of Regents of the American College of Dentists and is a senior consultant with the Academy for Advancing Leadership.

Her honors include the ADEA Distinguished Service Award, the ADEAGies Award for Achievement – Dental Educator, and recognition as one of Crain’s Notable Women in Education Leadership

Speaker agrees that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.

Breacya Washington, D.M.D.

Assistant Professor

University of Louisville School of Dentistry

Speaker agrees that neither they nor members of their immediate family have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.

Presentation Slides