AbstractChild abuse is any mistreatment or neglect of a child that results in harm or injury. It is a widespread problem that permeates all ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic segments of our society. This can include physical, emotional or sexual abuse. More than half of cases occur in the face, head or neck. All health professionals are legally mandated to report suspected cases of child maltreatment to the proper authorities, consistent with the laws of the jurisdiction in which they practice. But dentists, as a group, have been fairly inactive participants in recognizing and reporting child maltreatment when compared to other health professionals. This lack of involvement is especially unfortunate in light of recent hospital studies which indicate that injuries to the head and neck occur in 65 to 75 percent of the cases of physically abused children.
Keywords: Child abuse; Neglect; Dentists; Social responsibility; Reporting.