Training and competencies of Chilean dentists in addressing child abuse.
A qualitative study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47990/0sg9n530Keywords:
Child Abuse , Dental Education, Proffesional performanceAbstract
Introduction: Worldwide, head and neck injuries are present in more than 50% of child abuse cases, meaning dentists could play a crucial role in their identification and management. However, this opportunity appears to be underutilized. Objectives: To explore the experiences of general and specialist dentists in identifying and managing child abuse, as well as te perceptions of social workers regarding the role of dentists and the importance of interdisciplinary work in these cases. Materials and methods: A qualitative-exploratory study using convenience sampling. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom with 18 individuals divided into three groups: (1) General dentists (n=8), (2) Specialist dentists (n=7), and (3) Social workers with experience in child abuse cases (n=3). Results: General dentists (Group 1) perceived themselves as lacking adequate preparation to address child abuse, whereas specialists (Group 2) acquired this training through postgraduate studies or professional practice. The main barriers preventing dentists from reporting child abuse include a lack of knowledge about the reporting process, fear, and the absence of this topic in undergraduate training. The experiences of Group 3 emphasize the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration to effectively address child abuse. Conclusions: There is a lack of adequate training for dentists to handle child abuse cases. Chilean universities should review their curricula and assess the need to reinforce this content, as well as promote interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure a more comprehensive approach.
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