Ivana Cukovic-Bagic1, Jelena Dumancic2, Mirjana Kujundzic Tiljak3, Iva Drvaric4, Biserka Boric5, Vlatko Kopic6, Ivana Krupic7, Danko Bakarcic8, Marijo Budimir9, Richard R Welbury10. 1. Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Department of Dental Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. 2. Department of Dental Anthropology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. 3. Department of Medical Statistics, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics, School of Public Health "Andrija Štampar", School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. 4. Private Dental Office, Zagreb, Croatia. 5. Private Dental Office, Varazdin, Croatia. 6. Clinical Hospital Center, Osijek, Croatia. 7. Public Dental Office, Zagreb, Croatia. 8. School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia. 9. Dental Polyclinic, Split, Croatia. 10. Department of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Glasgow Dental School, Glasgow, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a widespread social phenomenon encompassing all forms of maltreatment with serious lifelong consequences. Dentists and dental team members are in the unique position to identify the symptoms of CAN often visible in craniofacial region. AIM: To evaluate Croatian dentists' level of knowledge, experience, and attitude towards CAN issue. DESIGN: Investigation was conducted in five major Croatian cities (Zagreb, Varaždin, Osijek, Rijeka, and Split). A previously used questionnaire regarding knowledge and experience in child protection was adopted to Croatian terminology and distributed to 544 dentists. RESULTS: A total of 510 dentists who returned a questionnaire with valid data 26.27% reported to have had suspicion of CAN during professional career and 5.1% reported their suspicion within the last 6 months, mostly to social services and police. Fear of violence towards the child and uncertainty about observations were the most frequently reported barriers towards referring and only 11.4% knew the procedure. About 80% of respondents want further training in identifying and reporting of physical abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Study showed a lack of knowledge and uncertainty in recognizing and reporting CAN cases in Croatian dentists. They expressed the need for undergraduate and post-graduate continuing education on this issue.
BACKGROUND:Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a widespread social phenomenon encompassing all forms of maltreatment with serious lifelong consequences. Dentists and dental team members are in the unique position to identify the symptoms of CAN often visible in craniofacial region. AIM: To evaluate Croatian dentists' level of knowledge, experience, and attitude towards CAN issue. DESIGN: Investigation was conducted in five major Croatian cities (Zagreb, Varaždin, Osijek, Rijeka, and Split). A previously used questionnaire regarding knowledge and experience in child protection was adopted to Croatian terminology and distributed to 544 dentists. RESULTS: A total of 510 dentists who returned a questionnaire with valid data 26.27% reported to have had suspicion of CAN during professional career and 5.1% reported their suspicion within the last 6 months, mostly to social services and police. Fear of violence towards the child and uncertainty about observations were the most frequently reported barriers towards referring and only 11.4% knew the procedure. About 80% of respondents want further training in identifying and reporting of physical abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Study showed a lack of knowledge and uncertainty in recognizing and reporting CAN cases in Croatian dentists. They expressed the need for undergraduate and post-graduate continuing education on this issue.
Authors: Mohammad Hasan Sahebihagh; Seyedeh Zahra Hosseini; Mina Hosseinzadeh; Seyed Morteza Shamshirgaran Journal: Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery Date: 2017-07