title: Child abuse and neglect--recognition and reporting.
abstract: The dental profession has a legal, ethical and moral responsibility to report suspected cases of abuse and neglect. The risk to the child is significant. In non-fatal cases of abuse, 35 percent will be abused again within one year. To this end, dentists should discuss child abuse and neglect at staff meetings and establish office procedures if a case is identified. Encourage staff to discuss concerns they have regarding possible abuse they suspect in the office. Keep the child abuse hotline number or local agency responsible for receiving reports in the office rolodex. Abuse and neglect is a real problem in all neighborhoods and dentistry can make a difference.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Needleman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003792:Dental Records; D003815:Dentists; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009055:Mouth / Q000293:injuries; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010808:Physical Examination; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014481:United States; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis