The Responsibility of Dentists in Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review the forms of child abuse and neglect with their clinical signs, together with a step-to-step guide for identification of suspected cases and the role of physicians, such us dentists in evaluating such conditions. The importance of an early recognition is based on the effective intervention. All members of dental team have a unique opportunity and legal obligation to assist in identifying and reporting child abuse. This special opportunity exists because a high proportion of abused children suffer injuries to the face and head, including the oral and perioral regions. However, physicians receive minimal training in oral health and dental injury and disease usually may not detect dental aspects of abuse or neglect, as readily as they do with symptoms and signs involving other areas of the body. Therefore, physicians and dentists are encouraged to collaborate to increase the prevention, detection and treatment of these conditions.