[Abuse and neglect--a challenge for the dentist]

The article defines five types of abuse; physical abuse, neglect, failure-to-thrive, emotional and sexual abuse. Problems related to incidence is discussed. There is no national survey of the first four types. But results from a few quantitative and qualitative studies in limited geographical areas are referred to. The need for integrating several theoretical frame of references such as the psychodynamic model, the sociological model, the interaction model as well as others to be able to understand and handle the problem is stressed. The need for interprofessional cooperation and for the dentists to engage themselves in this is argued.