Dentists and dental care professionals (DCPs) in the UK have been urged to take "responsibility" in raising the concerns of children and vulnerable adults that they feel are suffering from abuse or neglect.
According to the General Dental Council (GDC), all registrants should know who to contact for advice, such as a local health trust, if they have concerns for their patients regarding potential neglect or abuse.
The GDC’s statement on child protection points out that dentists and DCPs are well positioned to observe and identify facial and other injuries such as burns, bruising, bite marks and eye injuries.
Hew Mathewson, president of the GDC, said: "It is the responsibility of all members of the dental team to know what to do if they are concerned about the possible abuse or neglect of children and vulnerable adults."
"If you make a professional judgement and decide not to share your concern with the appropriate authority, you must be able to justify how you came to this decision."
"If you are unsure of the local procedures in your area, you have a duty to find out what they are, whether you work for the NHS or in private practice ."
The term 'vulnerable adults' is considered by the GDC to mean "a person above the age of 18 years who is or may be in need of community care services (including healthcare) by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation".
The full statement on child protection is now available on the GDC website - gdc-uk.org
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Dentists Urged To Take Responsibility In Protecting Children And Vulnerable Adults
Thu, 12 Jun 2008
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