Dental staff should be given child protection training
Dental staff should have regular training in child protection, including dental and non-dental factors, in order to ensure each child’s basic oral health needs are catered for sufficiently.
These are the beliefs of a new report released by the University of Sheffield, University of Warwick and Leeds Dental Institute, done on behalf of the British Society of Paediatric Society.
The report states that dental neglect in children is something all dental practitioners should be trained to recognise. “This should be a mandatory component at every level: undergraduate, foundation training, special interest, and specialist training.”
Co-author on the paper, Dr Peter Sidebotham, from the University of Warwick, said: “There is evidence which indicates that abused children have higher levels of untreated dental disease than non-abused peers.”
“Many dentists have taken part in child protection training, but still find it difficult to put into practice what they have learned when they suspect abuse.”
The report highlights the real concern that children’s basic dental needs are not being sufficiently met. This can lead to further problems in terms of a child’s oral and general health, as well as their social development.
Dr Peter Sidebotham added: I am impressed by how much dentists already do to educate and support parents. But when concerned that a child is suffering, perhaps as a result of missed appointments, I would always encourage them to seek advice from other health professionals experienced in child protection and, if necessary, to make a child protection referral.
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