Legal issues affecting dentistry's role in preventing child abuse and neglect

Dentists can best help protect children from maltreatment through an understanding of the child protective services process. All dentists are covered under state statutes as mandated reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect. Reporting statutes vary considerably from state to state. All dentists must understand the intricacies of applicable state laws to help identify suspected child maltreatment while protecting themselves from liability.