Child Abuse and Neglect

The abuse and neglect (or maltreatment) of children is a worldwide problem, although its manifestations and extent vary. Child maltreatment has a short term and long term physical, psychosocial, and social consequences. The first step in preventing further child mistreatment is recognizing the symptoms. Each and every dentist has a moral and ethical responsibility to report every suspect case, thereby preventing recurrence. The worst thing that can happen to an abused child is that nobody recognizes the symptoms of abuse or, even worse, although recognized, fails to report it. Dentists who treat children have a special role in the detection of suspected child abuse cases, given that most children who have been physically abused have injuries to the head, face and neck. Dentists' expertise in the examination of the oral-facial complex means they may encounter a substantial number of abused children, and may help by reporting suspected and known cases of abuse to the local Children's Aid Society.