3.3 Child Abuse and Dental Neglect
Some children with special health care needs may be at risk for abuse or neglect if a parent or another caregiver is overwhelmed, becomes frustrated with the child’s behavior, or does not understand the child’s limitations and how to address their special health care needs.
Child Abuse
It is important for oral health professionals to ask relevant history
questions and know the signs and symptoms of suspected child abuse. Some
signs of abuse are repeated injuries (e.g., multiple burns or bruises),
aggressive or extremely withdrawn behavior, neglected appearance, and
strict or super-critical parents. Physical abuse and sexual abuse can
be manifested on the face or in the mouth.
Although children are frequently injured while playing, there are some clues that can help to differentiate between injuries resulting from play and those resulting from abuse. Injuries resulting from abuse are more likely to be located on the buttocks and lower back, genitals and inner thighs, cheeks, ears, lips and labial frenum, and neck. In addition, injuries from play tend to heal all at the same time, whereas injuries from abuse are often in various stages of healing.
Slap Marks to the Face.*
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Bite Marks of Human Origin.*
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An Oral Condyloma, a Venereal Wart, Indicative
of Sexual Abuse.*
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A Tooth Knocked Loose, Lacerations to
the Lip, and Bruising of the Gums, Resulting from an
Open-Handed Slap to the Face.*
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*Adapted, with permission, from Arkansas PANDA Coalition. [n.d.]. PANDA Prevent Abuse and Neglect Though Dental Awareness [PowerPoint presentation]. Little Rock, AR: Arkansas PANDA Coalition. |
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