Abstract
In 1967, the American Dental Association published an editorial
noting dentists’ infrequent reporting of cases involving child abuse.
Subsequently, the ADA adopted the Principles of Ethics and Code of
Professional Conduct along with an official policy addressing child
abuse [1,2]. Our current child welfare services, including services
for dental neglect and abuse, has a genesis dating back to the 1960s
following the publication of “The Battered Child Syndrome” by
Dr. Henry Kempe and colleagues and which focused primarily on
physical abuse, and subsequently on sexual abuse [3]. Because the
evolutionary development of legal responses to pediatric dental
abuse and neglect has never been a primary focus of legislatures [4],
the recognition by dental professionals of their role as mandatory
reporters has been somewhat slower than recognition by other
health care professionals serving the medical needs of children [5].
Today, dental professionals are clearly recognized as mandatory
reporters of oral injuries indicating possible child abuse or child
neglect [6].
Creating State or Regional Dental Registries to Identify Pediatric Dental Abuse or Neglect by David R Katner JD in BJSTR
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