Child abuse: a survey of ASDC members and a diagnostic-data-assessment for dentists

Survey results on the subject of child abuse from the American Society of Dentistry for Children membership are reported. The survey results reflected the need of a documentation protocol for the dental office. A protocol is proposed which reviews the need of thorough assessment of orofacial lesions before concluding that child abuse exists. A data- and diagnostic-assessment form has been made using guidelines of the American Dental Association and other related referenced articles. The diagnostic-assessment form is presented to guide the practitioner through the documentation process and to develop a step-by-step decision on the probability of child abuse in any individual case.