Dental Neglect in Children: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Kiatipi, Maria; Davidopoulou, Sotiria; Arapostathis, Konstantinos; Arhakis, Aristidis

doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3019

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…In addition, it is important to be aware that there are significant inequalities in accessing dental care and poverty, and such cases have to be distinguished from neglect. Nevertheless, when there is adequate access to oral healthcare services and the parent or the guardian persistently fails to ensure appropriate medical care or treatment for his/her child, the possibility of dental neglect has to be seriously considered 77 . The caries findings in this study are based on already established diagnoses of dental neglect or abuse in the various included studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The caries findings in this study are based on already established diagnoses of dental neglect or abuse in the various included studies. There is, however, reason to believe that different diagnostic assessments were made to define caries as dental neglect, given the different underlying assessments described in the literature for diagnosing dental neglect 77–79 . It is also important that they distinguish between parental lack of knowledge and neglectful behavior 80 and consider that neglected children are unaware of the neglect 81 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is, however, reason to believe that different diagnostic assessments were made to define caries as dental neglect, given the different underlying assessments described in the literature for diagnosing dental neglect. [77][78][79] It is also important that they distinguish between parental lack of knowledge and neglectful behavior 80 and consider that neglected children are unaware of the neglect. 81 It is also reasonable to suppose that when dentists do not participate in the identification process, intraoral findings are not revealed as thoroughly, and that losing this information may ultimately cause vulnerable children to remain "under the radar."…”

Section: Study Designs Used To Investigate Child Maltreatment In Dent...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, when there is adequate access to oral healthcare services and the parent or the guardian persistently fails to ensure appropriate medical care or treatment for his/her child, the possibility of dental neglect has to be seriously considered. 77 The caries findings in this study are based on already established diagnoses of dental neglect or abuse in the various included studies. There is, however, reason to believe that different diagnostic assessments were made to define caries as dental neglect, given the different underlying assessments described in the literature for diagnosing dental neglect.…”

Section: Study Designs Used To Investigate Child Maltreatment In Dent...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Orofacial signs of child or adolescent maltreatment identified by dentists and dental hygienists: A scoping review

Håkstad,

Fegran,

Hovden

et al. 2023

Int J Paed Dentistry

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BackgroundChild maltreatment, the abuse or neglect of children aged 0–18 years, is a severe and underreported global problem. Compared with other body parts, the orofacial region displays more signs of child maltreatment. Dentists and dental hygienists are therefore well situated to identify orofacial signs of child maltreatment.AimTo map the current literature on orofacial signs of child maltreatment identified by dentists or dental hygienists.DesignA scoping review was conducted based on systematic searches of Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), and CINAHL (EBSCOhost) for primary qualitative and quantitative studies through June 6, 2022.ResultsTwenty‐nine studies were included in this scoping review. Though all child maltreatment types were identified in dental settings, physical abuse and dental neglect were most commonly identified. Reports of caries dominated the orofacial signs, followed by bruises (intra‐ and extraoral), poor oral hygiene, dental trauma, and lacerations (intra‐ and extraoral). Case reports were used most commonly to describe orofacial signs of child maltreatment.ConclusionDental clinicians identify orofacial signs of all child maltreatment types intraorally. Dentists identify the same extraoral signs as do other healthcare professionals, with bruising being the most common.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Designs Used To Investigate Child Maltreatment In Dent...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Designs Used To Investigate Child Maltreatment In Dent...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Orofacial signs of child or adolescent maltreatment identified by dentists and dental hygienists: A scoping review

Håkstad,

Fegran,

Hovden

et al. 2023

Int J Paed Dentistry

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“…As a result, dentists should be knowledgeable about dental negligence and how to handle these situations. To enhance understanding and awareness of all facets of child neglect, effective education is required (11).…”

Section: Oral and Dental Aspects Of Child Abuse And Neglectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dental Neglect and Its Connection to Recognize Child Abuse

Aljohani¹,

Alsharif²,

AlGhamdi³

et al. 2022

JOHS

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Child abuse refers to all forms of emotional and physical abuse, sexual abuse, negligence, and exploitation that cause or threaten harm to child's health, development, or dignity while dental neglect is defined as failure of parents or guardians to access or follow the oral treatment required for adequate functioning and relief from pain. Dentists are very critical in recognition of child abuse due to presence of most of the abusive injuries in the oral and craniofacial region also the compromised oral health of children is a sign of neglect. However, the reporting rate of dentists for child abuse and neglect is quite low due to their various concerns in practice. The aim of this research is to review the available information about dental neglect and its connection to child abuse. The dental profession has widely accepted its role in diagnosing and resolving aspects of child abuse in the last two decades. However, there is a written but underdeveloped link between poor dental health and child abuse also there is a gap between dentist perceptions of child abuse and self-esteem and their ability to detect and disclose concerns about child protection. In order to protect children and their families from the vicious cycle of violence in today's time, dentists must evaluate, record, and report the suspected cases also awareness campaigns and seminars for general public regarding child abuse and dental neglect are needed. Specialized training programs for reporting child abuse and dental neglect for dentists should be held regularly to promote better protection for children.

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