Introduction

Sir, the report on the recent study day at the Royal College of Surgeons, London in the news section of the recent BDJ (2008;  204: 361) highlights the importance of vigilance on the part of dental professionals to this important aspect of total patient care.

Only a few days ago a single mother brought her child aged just 14 years for a consultation with me. The child seemed apathetic and withdrawn and her mother explained that the child was about five months pregnant. I gently probed the mother who seemed furtive. I explained that sexual intercourse with a child is a criminal offence and that I might have to report the matter at which she gave me a full explanation which included the involvement of Social Services and other agencies. I told her that I would record details of the interview in the child's dental records and take no further action.

I have over the years had to report to the authorities a few cases where circumstances have been suspicious. DCPs often see and hear things in the waiting room that we do not pick up on. Dealing with such matters requires great diplomacy and bravery but what gave me the courage to take this action was the memory of an account some years ago of a mother of a child similarly aged, who after the termination of a pregnancy, told me that her husband, the child's father, had received a custodial sentence for the offence.

In a year of general practice most practitioners will see children who have had dental injuries and though child abuse is fortunately rare, dental injuries are only one manifestation of child neglect. For those who would shrink away from involvement the option has been removed by the need to comply with Core Standard 2 of Clinical Governance that refers to child protection. All Primary Care Trusts have policies in place and information on referral systems to which dental practices have access. Moreover, is it not a professional obligation that became ours when we entered the profession to protect children and vulnerable adults?