Original Article
Year : 2020 | Volume : 5 | Issue : 1 | Page : 35 - 37
Medical Child Abuse and Altered Parenting Recognition in the Dental Clinic
Emilio Nuzzolese, Francesco Lupariello, Ivana Čucović-Bagić1
From the Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy, 1 Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Address for correspondence:
Prof. Emilio Nuzzolese, E‐mail: emilio.nuzzolese@unito.it
Abstract
Introduction:
During their routine work, dentists and dental hygienists can observe areas such as face, neck, and arms, where in ≥50% of cases one can diagnose signs of physical abuse due to nonaccidental traumas.
Methods:
Oral health professionals are in a position to recognize not only the signs of possible physical and sexual abuse but also signs of dental neglect. The hypothesis also regards the opportunity to intercept signs of medical child abuse (MCA) and altered parenting care and supervision. These are parental or caregiver behaviors that more specically relate to so‐called altered/distorted or unnecessary care, which is equally harmful or potentially harmful for the child.
Discussion:
All health‐care professionals (family doctors, gynecologists, pediatricians, and dentists) play a key role in protecting children and adolescent health and must be able to recognize possible victims of maltreatment.
Conclusion:
To widen the protection of a child and prevent child abuse and neglect, the dental team should also be knowledgeable about MCA recognition during the routine clinical work.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
Key Words: Altered parenting, child abuse, dental neglect, forensic dentistry, forensic odontology, medical child abuse
How to cite this article:
Nuzzolese E, Lupariello F, Čucović-Bagić I. Medical child abuse and altered parenting recognition in the dental clinic. Int J Forensic Odontol 2020;5:35-7.
