1724 Barriers to reporting child dental neglect concerns amongst general medical practitioners in greater manchester

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Dental neglect presents a global concern which can lead to serious impairment of a child’s health and development. Appropriate intervention is a shared public challenge reliant on all healthcare professionals, including general practitioners (GPs). Previous literature has highlighted a lack of training amongst GPs surrounding child dental neglect and suggests that there are barriers present to the reporting of concerns. <h3>Objectives</h3> To investigate the current awareness of child dental neglect amongst GPs in Greater Manchester and to investigate barriers to the reporting of child dental neglect concerns. <h3>Methods</h3> An anonymous, electronic pilot questionnaire was distributed via email to a sample of General Practitioners in Greater Manchester. Institutional ethics approval was sought and consent was gained from participants. Respondents reported their experience and training in child dental neglect and their management of suspected cases. Results were downloaded into an excel spreadsheet for analysis. <h3>Results</h3> Seven GPs completed the pilot questionnaire, all of whom treated NHS patients. Thirty-eight percent of respondents had received formal child protection training at undergraduate level and 100% had completed postgraduate training. Only 25% felt adequately trained in the mechanisms of escalation and referral of a suspected child dental neglect case. There was universal acknowledgement that more training is required for GPs, with 75% believing that this should take place at undergraduate level. All participants were aware of their practice safeguarding lead and were familiar with their practice policy for child protection, however, none knew of the existence of the handbook commissioned by Department of Health, ‘Child protection and the dental team’. Fifty-seven percent of GPs had been suspicious of at least one case of child dental neglect, however, only 75% had recorded their observations in the clinical notes. Further to this, 43% had suspected child dental neglect and not completed an onwards referral. Common barriers to reporting concerns included: lack of knowledge of referral procedures; lack of certainty of the diagnosis; and lack of confidence in their suspicions. Almost 80% of respondents felt that GPs are well situated to identify behaviour and signs of child dental neglect and 86% were prepared to aid in its recognition. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Although a lack of awareness surrounding child dental neglect was highlighted, GPs feel that they are well placed to recognise signs and are willing to get involved in its detection. Barriers to the referral of suspected cases are still commonly reported and there is a strong demand for further training and guidance amongst GPs.