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1. Community Dentistry
The Management of a Muslim Patient
Samy Darwish
Wahidah/Denty/Khairunnisaa/Nurul ‘Adilah

2. Content Page
Objectives
Summary of Article
Relevance to OHTs in Singapore
Prayer
Fasting
Hijab/Tudung
Gender issue
Dental materials
Summary- learning points
References
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
3

3. 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
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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4. 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.
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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5. 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
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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6. Prayer
Friday prayers (for males only)
Management:
Appointments may have to be short/fast
Avoid afternoon appointments
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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7. Fasting
Yearly practice in the month of Ramadhan
Lasts for 29-30 days
Issues with dental treatment during fasting
month:
Wrong diagnosis of malodour
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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8. Fasting
Refusal for certain procedures
LA
Extraction
Refusal for dental treatment
Accidental swallowing of water
Foreign object in mouth
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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9. Fasting
Management:
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
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
10

10. Hijab/Tudung
Management:
Ask for consent to remove hijab (if necessary)
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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11. Gender issue
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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Management:
Find out if patient has any
request
Eg: for staff of the same
gender

12. Gender issue
Management:
Operator has to be cautious when treating
Muslim patients of the opposite gender;
minimize direct skin contact, maintain
professional physical proximity
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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13. 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
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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14. 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
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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15. Thanks for listening!
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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16. 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=13
230#.UK9zVo5BoTN
Cultural Competence: The Management
of a Muslim Patient
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