Child Protection

Question 1

What are the definitions of child abuse?

Answer 1

Physical, emotional, neglect, sexual, domestic

Question 2

What are forms of physical abuse?

Answer 2

• hitting, shaking, throwing, burning/scalding, drowning or suffocating

Question 3

What are typical features of accidental injury and non-accidental injury?

Answer 3

Accidental injuries typically involve bony prominences, match the history and are in keeping with the development of the child e.g. child learning to walk will fall often
Features of non-accidental injury:
- bruising, burns, bite marks, eye injuries, bone fractures, abrasions and lacerations, intra-oral injury

Question 4

What are warning signs of physical abuse?

Answer 4

• unexplained injuries
• late presentation of injury e.g. seeking help days after
• excuses that are inconsistent with the nature of injuries
• covering up with clothing e.g. long sleeved top on hot day
• shrinking away from physical contact in the dental chair

Question 5

When are concerns raised with physical abuse?

Answer 5

• injuries to both sides of the body
• injuries to soft tissue
• injuries with particular patterns - triangle of safety –> accidental injury unusual here
• any injury that doesn’t fit the explanation
• delays in presentation
• untreated injuries

Question 6

What is emotional abuse?

Answer 6

• making a child feel worthless
• constantly threatening or criticising them
• ignoring the child
• not providing a child with love and affection

Question 7

What are the warning signs of emotional abuse?

Answer 7

• lagging behind peers developmentally
• sudden speech disorder
• extremely aggressive or passive
• fear of new situations
• overreaction to mistakes

Question 8

What is sexual abuse?

Answer 8

• forcing or persuading a child to take part in sexual activity
• using sexually explicit language towards children
• making children watch sexual activity
• using children to make pornography or allowing/encouraging them to view it

Question 9

What are the warning signs of sexual abuse?

Answer 9

• may be isolated or withdrawn
• inappropriate sexualised behaviour or language
• self-harming/mutilation
• eating disorders
• pregnancy
• intra-oral soft tissue damage (torn frenum)
• STIs

Question 10

What is neglect?

Answer 10

• failure to thrive
• not providing: food, drink, adequate clothing and shelter, medical/dental care, protection from physical harm or danger

Question 11

What are the warning signs of neglect?

Answer 11

• constant hunger
• poor personal hygiene, including OH
• old, worn out clothes that dont fit
• no friends
• untreated medical problems
• underweight, gaunt appearance, same can be said of a child severely overweight

Question 12

What parent groups are more at risk of abusing children?

Answer 12

• young parents, those with poor parenting skills
• alcohol/substance misuse
• domestic abuse
• disability - physical or learning

Question 13

How do you manage dental neglect?

Answer 13

• raise concerns with parent
• explain changes that are required
• offer support
• keep accurate, contemporaneous records
• monitor progress
• continue to liaise with parents
• if still concerned –> refer to other agencies

Question 14

What legislation relates to child protection?

Answer 14

• the children and young people scotland act 2014
• GIRFEC - getting it right for every child: offering the right help at the right time from the right people
• the named person

Question 15

What are the GIRFEC principles?

Answer 15

• child focused
• based on an understanding of the wellbeing of a child
• tackling needs to be early - needs must be identified early to prevent bigger concerns or problems developing
• requires joined up working - children, parents and services need to work in a coordinated way to meet specific needs and improve wellbeing