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Tooth decay in children: a red flag for abuse?

British Dental Journal volume 232, page 36 (2022)Cite this article

When does childhood dental caries become neglect or abuse: do parents think what we think?Br Dent J 2021; http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-3569-8

It is of great importance for healthcare professionals (HCPs) to correctly action poor dental health in children. Not only can caries lead to pain, decreased ability to eat, psychological suffering and future dental complications by the early loss of primary teeth, it can also highlight child abuse and neglect.1 A 2017 study in the Netherlands demonstrated this association. A quarter of students requiring extractions of multiple carious teeth under general anaesthesia were already registered on a national database for domestic violence and child abuse. More were added post-procedure.2

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References

  1. Fayle S A, Welbury R R, Roberts J F, BSPD. British Society of Paediatric Dentistry: a policy document on management of caries in the primary dentition. Int J Paediatr Dent 2001; 11: 153-157.

  2. Smitt H S, de Leeuw J, de Vries T. Association Between Severe Dental Caries and Child Abuse and Neglect. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2017; 75: 2304-2306.

  3. Olive A, Tuthill D, Hingston E, Chadwick B, Maguire S. Do you see what I see? Identification of child protection concerns by hospital staf and general dental practitioners. Br Dent J 2016; 220: 451-457.

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  1. General Professional Trainee, Queen Victoria Hospital, UK

    Bakshi Kaur Johal

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  1. Bakshi Kaur Johal
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Johal, B. Tooth decay in children: a red flag for abuse?. Br Dent J 232, 36 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-3847-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-3847-0

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