Instruction in dental curricula to identify and assist domestic violence victims

Since most domestic violence injuries occur in the head and neck areas, it is critical that dental professionals be prepared to identify, interview, and assist potential victims. The purposes of these surveys in 1996 and 2007 were to investigate U.S. and Canadian dental school curricula regarding the inclusion of domestic violence topics, determine the topics emphasized, determine beliefs of course directors about domestic violence issues, and report progress of dental curricula in preparing dental professionals regarding domestic violence over the eleven-year period. Surveys were sent to associate deans for academic affairs of dental schools in the United States and Canada in 1996 (N=64) and the United States in 2007 (N=56). Each academic dean was asked to forward the survey to the faculty member who taught this topic. Topics most frequently included and emphasized in dental school curricula were the responsibility of the health care professional (HCP) regarding domestic violence, how to identify physical and behavioral indicators, and how to refer the abused victim. The topics least frequently included and emphasized in the curricula regarded education of the abused and the impact of domestic violence on society. There were four strong beliefs reported by dental course directors: a trusting, professional rapport is essential for disclosure; the dentist or a dental team member may be the first HCP to recognize signs of abuse; the dentist has a professional responsibility to refer for assistance; and domestic violence education should be included in dental curricula. Over the eleven years, the surveys demonstrate that course directors have become more aware of the need to inform dental students about domestic violence and that more schools have increased the amount of information about domestic violence in dental courses. However, due to the complexity and sensitivity of this topic, course instructors in dental schools may consider other teaching methods to enhance learning. The authors identified the need for further course development and make recommendations to use experiential learning to enhance dental students' interpersonal and interviewing skills. These strategies may increase dentists' comfort and confidence when treating and assisting possible victims of domestic violence.