Dentists' perceptions, attitudes, knowledge, and experience about child abuse and neglect in northeast Italy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze dentists' perceptions, attitudes, knowledge and experience about child abuse and neglect (CAN) in an area of northeast Italy and the factors affecting the recognition and reporting of CAN cases.


METHODS
One hundred six dentists working in both public and private sectors in the provinces of Padua and Treviso were interviewed by a single operator. Descriptive and assessing association analyses were carried out.


RESULTS
Dentists' perceptions about CAN is low, and these professionals have a poor attitude toward confronting it according to the code of conduct and laws. Available information and education are also poor Education affects the detection and the reporting of CAN cases in a relevant way. Female gender is another factor that affects the attitude and the perception of CAN.


CONCLUSIONS
The results, which are consistent with other studies, show that there is a general lack of knowledge about CAN that prevents dentists from detecting and identifying suspected cases. Despite its frequent occurrence among dental patients, neglect is the least known and identified type of abuse. Education is the critical element in enhancing the ability of professionals to detect cases.
Manea
S
S
Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Padua University, Italy. manea@pediatria.unipd.it
Favero
G A
GA
Stellini
E
E
Romoli
L
L
Mazzucato
M
M
Facchin
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000592:standards*; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data