Citation

Wood NH. SADJ 2022; 77(6): 321.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, South African Dental Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

South Africa is quite often lauded in the international community for having one of the most progressive and inclusive constitutions globally. This constitution protects even the most vulnerable of persons and ensures that even these vulnerable persons in our communities enjoy support and have the right to be protected. Section 28 of the Bill of Rights states that "every child has the right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse and degradation". The Children's Act No. 35 of 2005 further expands on the rights of minors, and relays principles relating to the care and protection of minors. However, to ensure that the constitution delivers on these promises, one must be able to identify the instances where there is a clear violation or even deprivation of these rights. In this editorial I am focusing on child abuse and neglect, and the role of the dentist in the identification and reporting thereof.

In broader terms, Childline defines child abuse as, "any interaction or lack of interaction by a parent or caretaker which results in the non-accidental harm to the child's physical or developmental state". The World Health Organization defines different types of abuse more specifically into the categories of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Physical abuse relates to direct damage or injury to the person of the child. The child is harmed in any number of ways from hitting, kicking, biting, shaking, and burning in an extensive list. Sexual abuse ranges in a spectrum from exhibitionism to rape and sexual assault. Emotional abuse can include things like verbal and mental abuse and is also referred to as psychological maltreatment. The outcomes of emotional abuse can include severe behavioural, cognitive o mental trauma. Neglect is frequently misunderstood and refers to the failure of parents or caregivers to provide for the basic needs of a child whether it be physical, mental, educational, or any other aspect of a child's normal and healthy growth and development.

Language: en