b'that the single most pervasive need presented needed medical attention were more often hepati-in that population is dental care. These youngtis C, chronic yeast infections, and cervical cancer. women often had no consistent dental care, ateAnother significant challenge we face in shelter poorly, may have used drugs, were forced to per- care is the confusion of medication that survivors form oral sex acts, and often endured repeatedbring in the door. In a cursory survey of shelters blunt force trauma to the face and mouth.for trafficking persons conducted by the Institute Survivors often presented with missing or brokenfor Shelter Care in 2022, leaders reported that new teeth, abscesses, extensive cavities, and consider- residents averaged six to nine prescribed medica-able pain. Problems with oral health, as we alltions at intake. In our experience, we have seen as know, can lead to a host of other medical issues,many as 33 prescribed medications for one per-not the least of which would be impaired sleep andson. This level of medication was more attributed difficulty eating. Perhaps more surprising, in thatto inconsistent care and prescriptions that are col-tenure, we also never had a survivor who was HIVlected, not managed. It may be worth imagining positive. The maladies for which our populationthe reality of some survivors: \x02 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG 37'