Paediatric dentists' role in child protection practice: Progress over time?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Paediatric Dentistry
• Child Protection

Background:

• Child maltreatment is a significant global public health issue.
• Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in child welfare.
• Paediatric dentists are vital in identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess changes in UK paediatric dentists' child protection training and practices.
• To identify factors influencing maltreatment recognition and referral.
• To evaluate trends in paediatric dentists' response to child abuse and neglect.

Main Methods:

• A repeated cross-sectional survey of British Society of Paediatric Dentistry members in the UK.
• Anonymous questionnaires were administered in 2005 and 2016.
• Analysis focused on practising dentists' training, experience, and referral practices.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in postgraduate child protection and multi-agency training were observed.
• Rates of suspecting and referring child maltreatment more than doubled between 2005 and 2016.
• While referrals increased, the frequency of daily observation of neglected dentitions remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

• UK paediatric dentists have shown substantial improvements in child protection training and practice.
• A persistent gap exists between recognizing and referring child maltreatment concerns.
• Continued vigilance and improved referral pathways are necessary to ensure child safety.