Abstract
Background: Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is considered a serious problem worldwide. Dentists have a significant role in recognizing and reporting CAN cases. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the CAN-related knowledge and educational experiences among Saudi dental graduates. Design: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to dental graduates from all dental schools in Saudi Arabia (n = 1552). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between knowledge level and different predictors. Results: A total of 988 dental graduates completed the questionnaire. The majority of them were dissatisfied with the amount of education they had received in their school (56.4%). Around 60% of the participants had inadequate knowledge regarding CAN. Graduates from government schools who received dental education about CAN and female participants had significantly higher odds of having adequate knowledge scores than others (odds ratio = 2.0, 3.1, and 1.7, respectively). Only 39.5% of the participants felt confident in their ability to identify CAN cases, and only 9.7% knew how to report such cases. Conclusions: Graduate dental students have insufficient knowledge about CAN. More time should be dedicated to educating students about this important topic in dental curricula.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines child abuse and neglect (CAN) as: child abuse or maltreatment constitutes all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power [1].Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a serious phenomenon that has long-term negative effects on children’s lives and their communities [2]
In Saudi Arabia, new dental graduates are required to complete one year of internship training after they graduate before they can proceed with their future careers
Our results indicate that graduates from government schools who received dental education about CAN and female participants had higher odds of having adequate knowledge scores than the other participants
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines child abuse and neglect (CAN) as: child abuse or maltreatment constitutes all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power [1].CAN is a serious phenomenon that has long-term negative effects on children’s lives and their communities [2]. In Saudi Arabia, the National Family Safety Program reported the registration of 616 CAN cases in 2011, a number almost eight times more than the number of cases reported in 2010 [6]. These numbers are likely to underestimate the actual number of CAN cases because they are merely based on hospital-based registries. Graduates from government schools who received dental education about CAN and female participants had significantly higher odds of having adequate knowledge scores than others (odds ratio = 2.0, 3.1, and 1.7, respectively). More time should be dedicated to educating students about this important topic in dental curricula
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