Transgender Patient Care in the Dental Office: Practical Protocols, Intake Process, and Chairside Anxiety Management

Transgender and nonbinary individuals frequently delay seeking dental care due to past negative experiences, misgendering, or apprehension in clinical settings. This paper examines practical, everyday strategies for dental teams to build a safer, more inclusive operatory environment. Written from a dual perspective as a dentist and an EFDA, the review details concrete adjustments such as separating legal and preferred names in intake records, managing chair angles for patients wearing chest binders, explaining local anesthetic sensations clearly to prevent anxiety, and adapting isolation techniques like rubber dams. The goal is to show how respectful communication and thoughtful chairside habits can make dental visits comfortable and accessible for everyone.