Child Protection and the Dental team

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Introduction why you need to know
Child protection - whose responsibility?
	Everyone’s responsibility
	A shared responsibility
	The responsibility of every member of the dental team
		What the General Dental Council says What the Victoria Climbié Inquiry said
Changes in child protection practice
	Lessons from the past
		Case study Case study Case study
	Improvements for the future
		Examples of developments in recent years
Children in society
	Children’s rights
		UNCRC: some extracts and their implications for the dental team
	Children’s needs
		Assessment framework triangle
	What children want

Abuse and neglect what you need to know
What is abuse? Categories of abuse
	Physical Emotional Sexual Neglect
Prevalence Recognising abuse and neglect
	Physical
		Typical features of accidental injuries Typical features of non-accidental injuries Types of injury Differential diagnosis
	Emotional Sexual Neglect
		Case study
Vulnerable groups
	Parental factors Social factors Child factors
The question of dental neglect
	Dental neglect – wilful neglect?
		Case study
	Dental neglect – general neglect?

Child protection responding
Assessing the child
	History and examination Questions to ask yourself Talking to the child
What to do if you’re worried about a child
	Colleagues to consult Making a referral Informing the child and parents
		Informing the child and parents - exceptions
	Useful guidance
What happens next?
	What happens when social services receive a referral?
		What procedures are followed after that? Giving evidence in court Assessing the dental needs of children who have been abused
	Coping with the aftermath
Information sharing and confidentiality
	Ethical guidance Consent
Forensic aspects of child protection practice
	Diagrams and clinical photographs DNA sampling Bite marks (forensic aspects)
Managing dental neglect
		Example Case study
Summary flow chart

Safeguarding children in dental practice
Tips for best practice
Staff member to lead on child protection
	The person Their role
Child protection policy
	Listening to children Information for children A safe and child-friendly environment Other relevant policies and procedures
Step-by-step guide
Record keeping
	Basic personal information Clinical records
Team training
	Frequency of training Content of training Providers of training Special considerations
Staff recruitment

Finding your local contacts Further information Further training Glossary References Downloads