Learning Objectives: 

• Understand the definition of human trafficking, who is at risk, recruitment techniques, and the different types of trafficking.
• Identify the difference between sex trafficking and sex work and trafficking and smuggling.
• Learn how to identify a person that is being trafficked through screening and observing clinical signs, and when it is mandated to report.
• Understand the procedures in which to report a potentially trafficked person.
• Learn the concepts and use of Trauma-Informed Care.
• Identify local and national resources for trafficked persons.

Human trafficking is a rapidly increasing public health and safety issue in the United States. It is the fastest rising commerce in the world with over 200,000 minors at risk in the United States.
People are forced into labor or sexual exploitation with deception and intimidation. It is reported that up to 80% of victims are seen by a healthcare provider while captive. Often, victims will not
identify themselves as such due to the fear of being further abused by their captor. Dental care providers are perfectly positioned to identify the signs and report suspected human trafficking.
By educating dental clinicians, victims of trafficking may be more likely to be rescued and receive the appropriate resources for recovery. This course will define types of trafficking,
differentiate between sex trafficking and sex work, identify at-risk populations, describe how to identify and report trafficked patients, and discuss trauma-informed care.

 In 2018, the operators of the National Human Trafficking Hotline, The Polaris Project, reported that out of the over 45,000 calls that came into the hotline, only .2% of the suspected trafficked individuals were rescued. Of those, less than 1% will recover from the trauma. With the large number of trafficked persons being seen in healthcare while captive, this statistic shows that health providers are under-recognizing and under-reporting.  The training of every dental professional in the United States would increase the number of vigilant professionals by over 600,000.  This life-saving course could be the gateway to freedom from modern-day slavery for many. This course is approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission in accordance with House Bill 2059, 86 th  Session, 2019. Texas and Michigan attendees will meet state licensure requirements for renewal by completing this course.