So dental personnel may be in a good position to note abuse of their patients. Last year, in New Jersey alone, more than 50,000 reports of child abuse and neglect were made. However, of that number, only a small percentage came from dentists. The extremely low reporting rate by dentists seems to be related to the lack of training dentists receive in how to recognize and report abuse and neglect and concerns about the ramifications of becoming legally involved in such cases. Studies have indicated that dentists are nearly five times as likely to report suspected abuse if they receive education in this area.
Child abuse can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
Certain injuries and conditions, such as bruises and welts, burns, lacerations and abrasions, skeletal injuries, injuries caused by twisting or pulling, head injuries, or internal injuries are often seen in cases of abuse and neglect. These warning signals or indicators should by considered in light of explanations provided, medical history, and the developmental abilities of the child to engage in activities that might have caused the injury. In addition to physical injuries, abused children also display certain types of behavior. Children exhibit many of these behaviors at one time or another, but when they are present in sufficient number and strength to characterize a child's overall manner, they may indicate abuse. Lags in development of motor skill, toilet training, socialization, or language which may be caused by the children having to siphon energy, normally channeled towards growth, into protecting themselves.