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 Physical
abuse, sexual abuse, and dental neglect
are all forms of child abuse or neglect
that can be manifested in the mouth.
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Dental trauma may be an important marker
for child abuse because craniofacial, head, face,
and neck injuries occur in more than half of the cases
of child abuse. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, and
dental neglect are all forms of child abuse or neglect
that can be manifested in the mouth.[4]
Trauma in children is often caused by
an adult violently striking the child’s lips
and teeth with the back of the hand or with an implement.
If the motion is sweeping and upward, the maxillary
frenum may be torn, and the lips and/or teeth may
be damaged. The child may have bruised or lacerated
lips, torn frenum, and/or discolored and fractured
or missing teeth. Because children speak and cry through
the mouth, child abuse is often directed at the mouth.[1]
Health professionals must report suspected
child abuse and neglect. Each state is responsible
for providing its own definition of child abuse and
neglect that meets federal minimum standards found
in the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.[5]
The Administration for Children and Families, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, provides
an array of products related to state civil laws
on child abuse and neglect. See the agency’s
state statutes Web page at http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/. |
