Physical child abuse: perception, diagnosis, and management by Southern Brazilian pediatric dentists

This study evaluated the perception, diagnosis, and attitudes of child abuse among Brazilian pediatric dentists.

Data, collected through a survey sent to 212 pediatric dentists in Curitiba, Brazil, included perceived knowledge about signs of child abuse, whether they had seen and reported it, and knowledge of their obligation to report, how, and to whom.

The response rate was ~33%. The youngest group was significantly more likely to report cases than the group with more than 18 years since graduation. Fifty-five percent of the professionals thought they are able to identify child abuse, 36% thought they were unable, and 9% did not know. Although 73% knew that reporting incidents of abuse is compulsory, only 48% responded that they would report cases of abuse to the relevant authorities. Although 36% of the pediatric dentists reported to have seen suspected cases of abuse, only approximately 12% reported such cases to authorities. Signs of abuse most frequently mentioned were hematoma throughout the body (61%) and behavioral changes (53%). Lesions on the face, mouth, and teeth were cited by only 17% of the professionals.

More information is needed in undergraduate dental schools and among pediatric dentists to recognize and report child abuse.