Bambini vittime di maltrattamento e trascuratezza: il contributo dell’odontoiatra

Child maltreatment and neglect are still a major public health problem worldwide. Dentists are in a privileged position to recognize any childabuse and/or neglect because most of the lesions are found precisely in the facial area, involving teeth and oral cavity. Next to the pediatrician, who regularly examines the child as he grows up and occupies a privileged position in recognizing family situations at greater risk and in supporting the family, the dentist has an important diagnostic support function, having a specific competence for the recognition of non-accidental injuries and neglect with oro-facial localization. As indicated in the Ministry of Health’s guidelines for the management of dental trauma, it is desirable that, in the near future, standardized multidisciplinary intervention strategies be promoted, within which both professions, aware of their respective sentinel roles in protecting abused children, can actively collaborate in establishing detection and reporting protocols.