This session of The Pulse of Progress: Legacy Builders in Oral Health speaker series moves beyond introductory awareness to examine dentistry’s evolving role in supporting and advocating for survivors of human trafficking, an often unseen population whose oral health needs frequently fall outside traditional care pathways. Through a moderated discussion, dental professionals engaged in clinical practice, education, forensics, and survivor advocacy will share lessons from frontline and systems-level work, highlighting ethical complexity, interprofessional collaboration, and sustainable approaches to survivor-responsive care.

This installment of The Pulse of Progress: Legacy Builders in Oral Health speaker series examines how stigma, chronic stress, and prior negative healthcare encounters influence oral health behaviors, trust, and outcomes, particularly among communities that have historically faced barriers to access and representation. Participants will gain insight into how dental education and training can intentionally equip clinicians to recognize these dynamics, strengthen provider–patient relationships, and support more equitable oral health outcomes across diverse communities.