Experience of and barriers to reporting child safeguarding concerns among general dental practitioners across Greater Manchester

• Published in: British dental journal Vol. 227; no. 5; pp. 387 - 391
• Main Authors: Clarke, Lisa, Chana, Pavneet, Nazzal, Hani, Barry, Siobhan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01-09-2019; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Aggression; Attitude of Health Personnel; Child; Child Abuse; Child abuse & neglect; Child Welfare; Dentistry; Dentists; General Practice, Dental; Health risk assessment; Humans; Patients; Referral and Consultation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Training; Manchester England; United Kingdom > UK; England
• ISSN: 0007-0610; 1476-5373
• DOI: 10.1038/s41415-019-0663-2

Introduction
Child abuse and neglect present a significant global concern, therefore, it is imperative that dental professionals can identify children at risk. Previous literature has suggested that general dental practitioners (GDPs) do not feel adequately trained to do so and that there is a gap between the suspicion of abuse and onward referral.
Aims
To assess the experience of paediatric safeguarding reporting among GDPs in Greater Manchester and investigate the current barriers to reporting safeguarding concerns.
Methods
An anonymous questionnaire was distributed via email to a sample of general dental practices in Greater Manchester.
Results
Thirty-six questionnaires were completed, giving a 36% response rate. Fifty-eight percent of respondents had received undergraduate training and 83% had received postgraduate training. Eighty-one percent felt that GDPs require further training and support. Fifty-eight percent of GDPs had been suspicious of at least one case of child abuse or neglect, however, only 28% had completed an onwards referral. Common barriers to reporting included: fear of violence to the child; lack of certainty of diagnosis; and lack of confidence in their suspicions.
Conclusion
Barriers to the referral of suspected cases of abuse or neglect are still commonly reported. There is a strong demand for further child protection training among GDPs.