1. Healthy Kids-Healthy Virginia “Child Abuse: The Face-An Easy Target” Photos with permission of VCU School of Dentistry
JoAnn Wells, School Age Oral Health Education Coordinator
Virginia Department of Health
Division of Dental Health
109 Governor Street, 9th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804)

2. The Problem: The Child’s View
3 million children were reported abused or neglected in the US last year (Littel et al, 2004)
On the average, child abuse is reported every 10 seconds
(Littel et al, 2004)
Child abuse and neglect is leading cause of death in children 4 and under (Littel et al, 2004)
2,000 children died from abuse last year (Littel et al, 2004)
Maybe under-reported by one-half (Littel et al, 2004)
3 children die each day in a home in the US (Littel et al, 2004)
Average age of the abused child is 3 years of age (Littel et al, 2004)
Littel et al, 2004

3. The Problem: Mandate to report
In all 50 states, dentists and dental hygienists are required to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect (Kellogg et al., 2005)
Dental professionals have reported only 0.32% of all cases (Beem et al., 2005)
-Only 1/2 of people report abuse when faced with an actual situation (Littel et al., 2004)

4. Until 19th century children considered property - no laws to protect children (Heins et al., 1984)
Mary Ellen, victim of abuse in New York City. No laws to protect children (Heins et al., 1984)
A Church appealed to SPCA for help (Heins et al., 1984)

5. 1962 - AAP sponsored symposium on child abuse
Term “Battered Child Syndrome” proposed (Heins et al., 1984)
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act passed
(Heins et al., 1984)

6. Definition of Child Abuse
When a parent or other caregiver
Creates or inflicts, threatens or allows, a physical or mental injury by other than accidental means, or creates a substantial risk of death, disfigurement or impairment of bodily or mental functions
Commits or allows sexual exploitation of a child
From VCA Sec (A)

7. Consultation Dentist Child’s Social Physician Services
(Kellogg et al., 2005)

8. Children with special needs are particularly vulnerable to abuse
RED FLAG
Children with special needs are particularly vulnerable to abuse
(Kenney et al., 2006)

9. Contributing Factors to Child Abuse
Drug and alcohol abuse
Stress
Lack of support network
Domestic violence
“Learned behaviors” - many abusers are, themselves, victims of child abuse
(Kenney et al., 2006)

10. Possible Indicators of Child Abuse
Patterns
Bruises, welts, bite marks, tattoos
Lacerations or abrasions
Burns
Fractures
Head injuries
(Kellogg el at., 2005)
Photos with permission of VCU School of Dentistry

11. Warning Signs Repeated injuries (multiple bruises)
Inappropriate behavior
Neglected appearance
Strict, super-critical parents
Extremely isolated families
Kenney et al, 2006
Photos with permission of VCU School of Dentistry

12. Behavior Indicators of Abuse
No eye contact
Wary of parents
Suicide attempts
Dramatic mood changes
INDICATORS
Running away
Fear of touch
Aggressiveness
Withdrawn
(National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect et al., 2003)

13. Clinical Protocol General physical assessment Behavior assessment
Patient history
Oral examination
Documentation
Consultation
(Kenney et al., 2006)

14. Patient Histories
Obtain histories from child and parent. Do they match?
Is the injury consistent with the history?
History of similar injuries in the past?
(Moudan & Smedstad et al., 2002)

15. 24 hours
14 days
Unintentional injury-child fell off bicycle (Kellogg et al., 2005)
Photos with permission of VCU School of Dentistry

16. Physical Findings That Mimic Child Abuse
Genetic
Acquired
Accidental
Facial hemangioma
(Moudan & Smedstad et al., 2002)
Photo by permission-
VCU School of Dentsitry

17. Cultural Practices and Folk Medicine
CAO GAO - hot coins rubbed over back or chest to cure fever
(Morris et al., 2000)
Photos permission of VCU School of Dentistry
CUPPING - Warm cups are placed over the chest to draw out illness
(Morris et al., 2000)
Photos permission of VCU School of Dentistry

18. Signs of Oral Trauma in Abuse
Avulsed teeth
Non-vital teeth
Lip lacerations
Tongue injuries
Frenum injuries
Jaw fractures
(Kellogg et al., 2005)
Photos with permission of VCU School of Dentistry

19. Definition of Child Neglect
Neglecting or failing to provide care necessary for a child’s health
Abandonment
(Kellogg et al., 2005)
VCA Sec (A)
hotos with permission of VCU School of DentistryP

20. Identification of Dental Neglect
Willful failure of a parent or guardian to seek and follow with treatment necessary to ensure a level of oral health essential for adequate function and freedom from pain and infection
Untreated, rampant caries
Untreated pain, infection, bleeding or trauma
Lack of continuity of care once informed that above conditions exist
(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Oral Health Policies and Guidelines, 2003)
Photo by permission of VCU School of Dentistry

21. The Need For Education
87% of dental professionals surveyed say they need more education about child maltreatment (Littel et al., 2004)
With education, dental professionals are five times more likely to report(Littel et al., 2004)

22. References
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Definition of dental neglect.
Pediatric Dentistry. 2003; 25: 7.
Beem, Marji H. (2005). The perceived likelihood of dental hygienist to report
abuse before and after a training program. Journal of Dental Hygiene.
79.
Dunn, A.M. (2002) Culture competence and the primary care provider.
Journal of Pediatric Health Care. 16 (3),
Kellogg, Nancy. (2005). Oral & Dental aspects of child abuse & neglect. Pediatrics,
116 (6),
Kenney, John P. (2006). Domestic Violence: a complex health issue for dentistry today.
Forensic Science International. 159, 121.
Littel, Kristin. (2004). Family Violence: An intervention model for dental
professionals. Office of Victims of Crime.
Morris, Robert (2000) An unusual pattern of bruising (symmetric linear bruising
caused by a folk medicine technique called coining). The Western Journal
of Medicine. 172(5), 298.
Moudan, L.D., & Smedstad, B. (2002) Reporting child abuse and neglect: the
dental hygienist’s role. Dental Hygienist News.
National Clearinghouse of Child Abuse and Neglect. (2005). Long-term
consequences of child abuse and neglect.
 Virginia Department of Social Services. Professionals as mandated reporters
& time frame for report & definition of Child abuse and neglect.
Section and