Children who are abused show signs of that abuse many places– and one place is in their mouth. According to a recent report, craniofacial, neck and head injuries happen in more than half of all abuse cases. Oral injuries discovered can be a clear sign that a child is experiencing abuse or neglect, and often, these injuries are discovered during a dental exam. Read on to learn more about how practitioners can detect abuse from oral injuries, and what they can do if they suspect abuse.
Oral Signs of Child Abuse
When a practitioner is doing an oral exam, there are clear physical signs that a child might be experiencing abuse. Some of the signs include:
- Burns or lacerations of the tongue, lips, gums or palata
- Fractured or displaced teeth
- Grey, discolored teeth caused by trauma
- Bruises and scarring at the corners of the mouth due to gagging
- Lacerations of the oral frena in infants
- Unexplained injury or petechiae of the palate due to forced oral sex
- Facial bone and jaw fractures
- Bite marks
- Severe neglect, causing pain, infection, loss of function and more
What a Dental Practitioner Should if Abuse is Suspected
If a dental practitioner finds any of the above signs during a dental examination, he or she can take several steps to verify whether the abuse is happening or not and ensure that the child is safe and well-cared for.
First, practitioners should document the signs they see, then consult with experts like pediatric dentists, dentists trained in forensic odontology and oral surgeons. They can also reach out to PANDA — Prevent Abuse and Neglect Through Dental Awareness. They have resources to help physicians who are seeking information or clarification about a potential issue.
If a dentist can confirm that there are signs of abuse or neglect present, he or she must respond according to the law, and if he does not, he is at risk of a steep fine or a loss of license. In most states, a dentist should approach the Department of Child and Youth services with a report. The department will investigate the case from there — and dentists can remain anonymous. For dental practitioners suspect abuse because of oral injury, they can learn more about where to make a report here.
