Child Protection Flashcards

1
Q

how might a child be harmed?

A
  • by an action (violence, sexual attack, mental cruelty, physical attack)
  • through a failure to provide basic necessities (parent/carer neglecting child)
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2
Q

what things may make a child vulnerable?

A
  • parental issues (mental health, substance misuse, neglect, domestic violence)
  • environmental issues (socioeconomic status, poverty, unemployment)
  • children with disability
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3
Q

what is the definition of physical abuse?

A

may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, biting, poisoning, burning/scalding, drowning, suffocation or otherwise causing physical harm to child

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4
Q

how might a dentist recognise physical abuse in child patients?

A
  • bruising, abrasions, lacerations, burns, bite marks, eye injuries, intra-oral injuries
  • site, size & pattern
  • delay in presentation
  • does not fit explanation
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5
Q

what is a dental injury that may be a good sign of child abuse in a patient?

A

torn frenulum (upper lip)

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6
Q

what are some orofacial signs that may be suggestive of child abuse?

A
  • intra/extra oral bruising
  • bites/burns
  • teeth displaced or broken
  • lip injuries (blunt force trauma)
  • upper lip frenulum***
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7
Q

A child enters the dental surgery with injuries that could be suggestive of abuse, what are some questions and behaviours the dentist may investigate?

A
  • could the injury have been cause accidental, and if so, how?
  • does the explanation for the injury fit the age & clinical findings?
  • if the explanation fits the injury, is this itself within normal acceptable limits of behaviour?
  • refusals to allow proper treatment/hospital admission
  • unprovoked aggression towards staff
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8
Q

A child enters the dental surgery & after some investigating the dentist is suspicious of abuse occurring… What are some further observations that may be seen that are suggestive of child abuse?

A
  • general demeanour of child
  • nature of relationship between child & guardian
  • child’s reaction to other people
  • the reaction of the child to any medical/dental examination
  • any concerning comments made by the child or guardian
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9
Q

If a dentist is suspicious of child abuse occurring, what is the MINIMUM they should do?

A
  • write down what you have seen, heard or been told using EXACT WORDS
  • report incident to your line manager ASAP
  • if you have serious concerns about the child’s immediate safety then you should contact the police***
  • NEVER DO NOTHING
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10
Q

what is child neglect?

A

the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development

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11
Q

what is child dental* neglect?

A

the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic oral health needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of a child’s oral or general health development

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12
Q

what are some risk factors that may increase the likelihood of child neglect?

A
  • poverty, isolation, poor housing/living conditions

- parental substance misuse, ill-health, learning disabilities etc.

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13
Q

If a dentist suspects dental neglect in a child, what investigations might they decide to make?

A
  • how severe is the condition/oral disease
  • what is the impact of this disease
  • has treatment been sought?
  • what is the parents understanding?
  • what is the child’s general state? diet?
  • is the child underweight for age?

etc.

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