Safeguarding children in dentistry: 2. Do paediatric dentists neglect child dental neglect?

Key Points Discusses dental neglect in relation to a contemporary UK understanding of good practice in safeguarding children. Managing dental neglect is part of daily practice for many paediatric dentists. Acknowledges that preventive dentistry and good communication with families already contribute to promoting child welfare. Recommends that dentists should communicate more often with other health and social care professionals. In this second part of a two-part report, further findings of a postal questionnaire sent in March 2005 to dentists with an interest in paediatric dentistry working in varied UK settings are presented and discussed in the context of current multi-agency good practice in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Using insights gained from a survey of self-reported management of children with neglected dentitions, this paper explores whether paediatric dentists neglect child dental neglect. The authors conclude that current practice already includes much that contributes to promoting children's oral health and wellbeing. However, in a society where children continue to suffer as a result of abuse and neglect, they warn that improvements are needed in communication between dentists and other health and social care professionals if children's welfare is to be safeguarded and promoted effectively and future tragedies avoided.