Child maltreatment: Cross-sectional survey of general dentists

Harsimran Kaur, K S Vinod, Harpreet Singh, Lavina Arya, Prateek Verma, Baldeep Singh, Harsimran Kaur, K S Vinod, Harpreet Singh, Lavina Arya, Prateek Verma, Baldeep Singh

Abstract

Background: Child abuse continues to be a social menace causing both physical and emotional trauma to benevolent children. Census has shown that nearly 50-75% of child abuse include trauma to mouth, face, and head. Thus, dental professionals are in a strategic position to identify physical and emotional manifestations of abuse.

Aim: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess knowledge and attitude of dental professionals on the exigent issue of child abuse.

Methodology: With prior consent, a 20-question survey including both multiple choice and dichotomous (yes/no) questions was mailed to 120 state-registered general dentists and the data collected were subjected to statistical analysis.

Statistical analysis: The overall response rate to the questionnaires was 97%. Lack of knowledge about dentist role in reporting child abuse accounted to 55% in the reasons for hesitancy to report. Pearson's Chi-square test did not show any significant difference between male and female regarding the reason for hesitancy to report and legal obligation of dentists.

Results: Although respondent dentists were aware of the diagnosis of child abuse, they were hesitant and unaware of the appropriate authority to report.

Conclusion: Increased instruction in the areas of recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect should be emphasized.

Keywords: Child abuse; child protection training; dentists; physical abuse.

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Graph 1
Graph 1
Most expected gender versus socioeconomic status for child abuse
Graph 2
Graph 2
Common body part versus types of injuries in child abuse
Graph 3
Graph 3
Barriers noted to report child abuse
Graph 4
Graph 4
Belief in legal obligation to report child abuse
Graph 5
Graph 5
Practicing experience versus distinguishing ability of dentists

References

    1. Schmidt BD. Types of child abuse and neglect: An overview for dentists. Pediatr Dent. 1986;8:67–71.
    1. Tsang A, Sweet D. Detecting child abuse and neglect – Are dentists doing enough? J Can Dent Assoc. 1999;65:387–91.
    1. Adair SM, Wray IA, Hanes CM, Sams DR, Yasrebi S, Russell CM. Perceptions associated with dentists’ decisions to report hypothetical cases of child maltreatment. Pediatr Dent. 1997;19:461–5.
    1. Al-Dabaan R, Newton JT, Asimakopoulou K. Knowledge, attitudes, and experience of dentists living in Saudi Arabia toward child abuse and neglect. Saudi Dent J. 2014;26:79–87.
    1. Bsoul SA, Flint DJ, Dove SB, Senn DR, Alder ME. Reporting of child abuse: A follow-up survey of Texas dentists. Pediatr Dent. 2003;25:541–5.
    1. Persaud DI, Squires J. Abuse detection in the dental environment. Quintessence Int. 1998;29:459–68.
    1. Carlin SA, Polk KK. Teaching the detection of child abuse in dental schools. J Dent Educ. 1985;49:651–2.
    1. Blain SM. Abuse and neglect as a component of pediatric treatment planning. J Calif Dent Assoc. 1991;19:16–24.
    1. da Fonseca MA, Idelberg J. The important role of dental hygienists in the identification of child maltreatment. J Dent Hyg. 1993;67:135–9.
    1. Wachtel A. Child Abuse: A Discussion Paper. Ottawa (ON): Health and Welfare Canada; 1989.
    1. American Dental Association. From the states: Legislation and litigation. J Am Dent Assoc. 1967;75:1081–2.
    1. Becker DB, Needleman HL, Kotelchuck M. Child abuse and dentistry: Orofacial trauma and its recognition by dentists. J Am Dent Assoc. 1978;97:24–8.
    1. Losso EM, Marengo G, El Sarraf MC, Baratto-Filho F. Child abuse: Perception and management of the Brazilian endodontists. RSBO. 2012;9:62–6.
    1. Leite Cavalcanti A, Granville-Garcia AF, Melo de Brito Costa EM, de Barros Correia Fontes L, Diniz de Sá LO, Durval Lemos A. Dentist's role in recognizing child abuse: A case report. J Dent Sci. 2009;24:432–4.
    1. Azevedo MS, Goettems ML, Brito A, Possebon AP, Domingues J, Demarco FF, et al. Child maltreatment: A survey of dentists in southern Brazil. Braz Oral Res. 2012;26:5–11.
    1. Owais AI, Qudeimat MA, Qodceih S. Dentists’ involvement in identification and reporting of child physical abuse: Jordan as a case study. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2009;19:291–6.
    1. Sonbol HN, Abu-Ghazaleh S, Rajab LD, Baqain ZH, Saman R, Al-Bitar ZB. Knowledge, educational experiences and attitudes towards child abuse amongst Jordanian dentists. Eur J Dent Educ. 2012;16:e158–65.
    1. Granville-Garcia AF, de Menezes VA, Silva PF. Child abuse: Perception and responsibility of dentists. J Dent Sci. 2008;23:35–9.
    1. Naidoo S. Importance of Oral and Facial Injuries in Child Abuse. African Safety promotion. A Journal of Injury and Violence Prevention, 2004;2:69–72.
    1. Hashim R, Al-Ani A. Child physical abuse: Assessment of dental students’ attitudes and knowledge in United Arab Emirates. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2013;14:301–5.
    1. Thomas JE, Straffon L, Inglehart MR. Knowledge and professional experiences concerning child abuse: An analysis of provider and student responses. Pediatr Dent. 2006;28:438–44.
    1. Cairns AM, Mok JY, Welbury RR. The dental practitioner and child protection in Scotland. Br Dent J. 2005;199:517–20.
    1. Harris JC, Elcock C, Sidebotham PD, Welbury RR. Safeguarding children in dentistry: 1. Child protection training, experience and practice of dental professionals with an interest in paediatric dentistry. Br Dent J. 2009;206:409–14.
    1. Kilpatrick NM, Scott J, Robinson S. Child protection: A survey of experience and knowledge within the dental profession of New South Wales, Australia. Int J Paediatr Dent. 1999;9:153–9.
    1. Ramos-Gomez F, Rothman D, Blain S. Knowledge and attitudes among California dental care providers regarding child abuse and neglect. J Am Dent Assoc. 1998;129:340–8.
    1. Lazenbatt A, Freeman R. Recognizing and reporting child physical abuse: A survey of primary healthcare professionals. J Adv Nurs. 2006;56:227–36.
    1. Jessee SA. Physical manifestations of child abuse to the head, face and mouth: A hospital survey. ASDC J Dent Child. 1995;62:245–9.
    1. Habib HS. Pediatrician knowledge, perception, and experience on child abuse and neglect in Saudi Arabia. Ann Saudi Med. 2012;32:236–42.
    1. Al-Buhairan FS, Inam SS, AlEissa MA, Noor IK, Almuneef MA. Self reported awareness of child maltreatment among school professionals in Saudi Arabia: Impact of CRC ratification. Child Abuse Negl. 2011;35:1032–6.

Source: PubMed

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

3
Subscribe