Domestic violence: no place for a smile

Because dentists routinely assess a patient's head, neck and mouth, they have a unique and excellent opportunity to recognize whether or not a patient is being abused. This article seeks to enlist the collaboration of the dental community in the effort to prevent domestic/intimate partner violence and provide more information about the signs and symptoms of domestic violence injuries, including strangulation, which is often overlooked by medical and dental professionals. Strangulation has only been identified in recent years as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence. Unconsciousness may occur within seconds and death within minutes. It is known that victims may have no visible injuries whatsoever yet because of underlying brain damage by a lack of oxygen from being strangled, victims may have many serious internal injuries or die days or several weeks later. Strangulation is often indicative of a high level of domestic violence in a relationship. Attempted strangulation may cause physiological changes evident in the course of a dental examination. For these reasons, dentists should be vigilant in looking for its symptoms.