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April 20, 2024

Dentists Serve on Front Line of
Combating Child Abuse and Neglect

March 15, 2004, Lisle, IL -- To protect the health of children, dentists are doing more than telling them to brush their teeth.

With National Child Abuse Prevention Month approaching in April, dental industry groups, including state dental associations, the Delta Dental Plans Association and Delta Dental Plan of Illinois, have renewed their commitment to encourage dentists to identify and report signs of child abuse and neglect.

Dr. Katina Morelli, D.D.S., dental director for Delta Dental Plan of Illinois, said, "Because a majority of the physical trauma to children occurs in the face and neck area, dentists are ideally positioned to detect possible abuse."

According to the U.S. Administration for Children and Families, an estimated 903,000 children were victims of maltreatment in 2001.  More than half (57 percent) of the cases investigated or assessed by state child protective services agencies were reported by professionals, including law enforcement, teachers and members of the medical community.   

The largest national effort among dental professionals to increase awareness of child abuse and neglect is the P.A.N.D.A. (Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness) Coalition.  A public-private partnership comprised of state dental associations, Delta Dental Plans Association, affiliated Delta Dental Plans and other organizations, P.A.N.D.A. is committed to educating dental professionals on how to recognize and report suspected cases of child abuse.

In Illinois, the program is supported by a coalition of organizations including Delta Dental Plan of Illinois, Illinois State Dental Society, Illinois Dental Assistants Association, Illinois Dental Hygienists Association and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

"P.A.N.D.A. provides dentists with detailed training on the physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse and neglect. It also provides resources to guide them through procedures for reporting suspected abuse, and offers referral resources for families to help prevent abuse and neglect," Morelli said.

Morelli noted P.A.N.D.A. builds on state mandates that dentists report suspected abuse, and reflects the commitment dentists have to promote the overall health and well-being of children. 

"We want to work within our communities to protect children and assist their families in a way that promotes safe, supportive environments for everyone," Morelli said.

Delta Dental Plan of Illinois (DDPIL) is a not-for-profit dental service corporation specializing in providing comprehensive, easy-to-use and cost-effective benefits to over one million employees and family members in more than 3,000 employee groups throughout Illinois.  Based in Lisle, Ill., DDPIL offers an array of extensive nationwide network-based managed fee-for-service, PPO and dental HMO plans.  

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