Citation

Symons AL, Rowe PV, Romaniuk K. Aust. Dent. J. 1987; 32(1): 42-47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, Australian Dental Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1834-7819.1987.tb01272.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Child abuse is an unfortunate widespread social disorder that is only now coming to notice. The aetiology, consequences for the victim and clinical manifestations of child abuse are reviewed, and case histories of three very different forms of child abuse are presented. A case of suspected physical abuse, confirmed physical abuse which resulted in death, and a rare case of emotional and socio-cultural deprivation are described. A large number of child abuse victims, as many as 65 per cent, suffer facial and head injuries that would readily be apparent to dentists. However, there is an apparent lack of awareness by dentists as revealed by their low rate of reporting to authorities. The features or patterns of abuse that may alert dentists to the possibility of child abuse should become general knowledge to dentists so they may help remedy this disorder.

Language: en