The fields of dentistry and child abuse are rarely mentioned in the same breath
Buta Cincinnati children’s dentist is urging his colleagues to consider themselves part of the first in defense in preventing and diagnosing physical and sexual abuse of children
Dr Parneet S Sohi a pediatric dentist in Avondale received top award for a presentation on the dentist’s role in uncovering and diagnosing child abuse at the winter conference of the American Dental Association in San Francisco
Sohi says he began collecting material about child abuse based 01 his experiences as a medical resident in Chicago his work here with Children’s Hospital Medical center and consultations with other dentists
Think dentists and doctors In their training programs really don’t have a specific area where they learn how to diagnose children with these problems says Sohi But dentists have a special role in helping define such cases because tie injures often occur to the face and we look at the face
According to some estimates 29 million cases of child abuse were reported in 1992 in the United Suites and perhaps as many went unreported
Sohi says that among cases classified us dental abuse 3264 involve fractured teeth 24% involve buses to the mouth 14% involve cuts in near the mouth 1166 involve fractured jaws
5% involve bums in and around the mouth
Children who have been abused also may exhibit symptoms refusal to establish eye contact with adults tendency to shy away when approached by adults willingness to communicate or talk with adults fear of strangers to tendency to detach from dentists of hygienists spacing out) when being examined
Physical symptoms of abuse can include bruises slap marks bite marks strangle marks around the neck bums scald marks or sores Inside the mouth that indicate sexual abuse or sexually related infections
Like other professionals who work with children dentists are required by law to report suspected cases of abuse to children’s protective agencies (Professionals who might be worried about potential financial losses can make reports anonymously using identification numbers known only to authorities)
As part of his practice Sohi provides flyers to parents about noticing and) preventing child base including tips on calming themselves down to avoid hurting children
Children he says are offend relieved when someone notices Injuries or scars and they frequently respond to open-ended questions about how the injuries occurred the abuse doesn’t stop it keeps going in cycles Parents who are abusing children were usually abused as children themselves he says Sometimes this child has only one chance if she Visits a doctor or a dentist -for that cycle to stop We have a duty toward these children If we as professionals don’t recognize this we are sending the child back into that cycle
For information call (513) 22,15000
Article extracted from this publication >> March 25, 1994
