Dental Hygienist Research Paper

1931 Words8 Pages
Child Abuse and Dental Hygiene Each year three million children in the United States alone are reported as victims of child abuse and neglect (FindLaw, 2013). This is a widespread dilemma that affects all cultures, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds in our world. Dental hygienists do more than just oral care. They have a chance to “hear the silent cry” and save a child’s life (Blackiston, 2014). Dental Hygienists have an ethical and legal duty to report child abuse. Educating dental hygienists on child abuse, its severity, and its reality will help in their understanding of the importance of their role in identifying, documenting, and reporting child abuse to save a life. Understanding child abuse and its history is very crucial…show more content…
It is important that each dental hygienist know all the agencies, hotlines, referrals, and counseling centers in their local area. Being aware of this information will prepare for reporting. Each state has it’s own authorities and hotlines to report to. If there is an emergency the dental hygienist is to call 911. For general reporting, it is important to know the contact information of the Child Protective Services Agency in the local area to call and report (Blackiston,…show more content…
One of those signs is bite marks. Bite marks are most commonly related to physical and sexual abuse. The bites can cause abrasions and lacerations. They are typically circular in form and are more than three centimeters. Many times they are mistaken or confused with bruises by their appearance because it is an area of hemorrhage. The most common areas to find bite marks in the oral region are the cheeks. The size, shape, color, and pattern of the bite marks should be documented in detail. A forensic odontologist or forensic pathologist is usually the expert professional who will evaluate such symptoms (American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry,

More about Dental Hygienist Research Paper

Open Document