Child Protection Flashcards
how might a child be harmed?
- by an action (violence, sexual attack, mental cruelty, physical attack)
- through a failure to provide basic necessities (parent/carer neglecting child)
what things may make a child vulnerable?
- parental issues (mental health, substance misuse, neglect, domestic violence)
- environmental issues (socioeconomic status, poverty, unemployment)
- children with disability
what is the definition of physical abuse?
may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, biting, poisoning, burning/scalding, drowning, suffocation or otherwise causing physical harm to child
how might a dentist recognise physical abuse in child patients?
- bruising, abrasions, lacerations, burns, bite marks, eye injuries, intra-oral injuries
- site, size & pattern
- delay in presentation
- does not fit explanation
what is a dental injury that may be a good sign of child abuse in a patient?
torn frenulum (upper lip)
what are some orofacial signs that may be suggestive of child abuse?
- intra/extra oral bruising
- bites/burns
- teeth displaced or broken
- lip injuries (blunt force trauma)
- upper lip frenulum***
A child enters the dental surgery with injuries that could be suggestive of abuse, what are some questions and behaviours the dentist may investigate?
- could the injury have been cause accidental, and if so, how?
- does the explanation for the injury fit the age & clinical findings?
- if the explanation fits the injury, is this itself within normal acceptable limits of behaviour?
- refusals to allow proper treatment/hospital admission
- unprovoked aggression towards staff
A child enters the dental surgery & after some investigating the dentist is suspicious of abuse occurring… What are some further observations that may be seen that are suggestive of child abuse?
- general demeanour of child
- nature of relationship between child & guardian
- child’s reaction to other people
- the reaction of the child to any medical/dental examination
- any concerning comments made by the child or guardian
If a dentist is suspicious of child abuse occurring, what is the MINIMUM they should do?
- write down what you have seen, heard or been told using EXACT WORDS
- report incident to your line manager ASAP
- if you have serious concerns about the child’s immediate safety then you should contact the police***
- NEVER DO NOTHING
what is child neglect?
the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development
what is child dental* neglect?
the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic oral health needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of a child’s oral or general health development
what are some risk factors that may increase the likelihood of child neglect?
- poverty, isolation, poor housing/living conditions
- parental substance misuse, ill-health, learning disabilities etc.
If a dentist suspects dental neglect in a child, what investigations might they decide to make?
- how severe is the condition/oral disease
- what is the impact of this disease
- has treatment been sought?
- what is the parents understanding?
- what is the child’s general state? diet?
- is the child underweight for age?
etc.
