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Bhatia SK, Maguire SA et al. J Dent 2014; 42: 229–239

Using a standardised search strategy supplemented by 'snowballing' technique (pursuing references), 3,863 citations and abstracts were screened. Eighty-three of these were interrogated, nine of which were included in this systematic review. A common thread inferring dental neglect is 'a failure to seek appropriate care in a timely way or to follow through...'. It is simplistic to suggest there is a threshold for the number of teeth beyond which there is dental neglect. Indeed it is argued that 'neglect can only occur in cases where reasonable resources are available to the family or caregiver'. It is a sad indictment, that parents, who do not access dental care for their children, have poor oral health expectations. Reasons are stated as to why dentists seem reluctant to follow child protection procedures. Nevertheless, dentists should be 'more pro-active in working with their local safeguarding team to ensure the safe and appropriate care of these children.'