Dentists’ Perceptions, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Experience about Child Abuse and Neglect in Northeast Italy

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze dentists’ perceptions, attitudes, knowledge and experience about child abuse and neglect (CAN) in an area of northeast Italy and the factors affecting the recognition and reporting of CAN cases.

Material and Methods: One hundred six dentists working in both public and private sectors in the provinces of Padua and Treviso were interviewed by a single operator. Descriptive and assessing association analyses were carried out.

Results: Dentists’ perceptions about CAN is low, and these professionals have a poor attitude toward con-fronting it according to the code of conduct and laws. Available information and education are also poor. Education affects the detection and the reporting of CAN cases in a relevant way. Female gender is another factor that affects the attitude and the perception of CAN.

Conclusions: The results, which are consistent with other studies, show that there is a general lack of knowl-edge about CAN that prevents dentists from detecting and identifying suspected cases. Despite its frequent occurrence among dental patients, neglect is the least known and identified type of abuse. Education is the critical element in enhancing the ability of professionals to detect cases.

J Clin Pediatr Dent 32(1): 19–26, 2007

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