Dentists' involvement in identification and reporting of child physical abuse: Jordan as a case study.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge, attitude, and experience among Jordanian dentists regarding child abuse, and to explore the factors that affect their hesitation to report any suspected cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A self-administered structured questionnaire was sent randomly to 500 Jordanian dentists. It investigated dentists' knowledge, attitude, and experience in recognizing and reporting child abuse cases. It also investigated several factors associated with dentists' hesitation to report suspected cases of child physical abuse.

RESULTS

The response rate was 68%. More dentists were aware of their ethical obligations (80%) than their legal responsibilities (71%) to report child abuse cases. One-third of the dentists knew where to report suspected cases. Although 42% of dentists suspected cases of child abuse, only 20% of them reported these cases. The most frequently cited reasons for hesitation to report such cases were lack of history (76%), uncertainty about diagnosis (73%), and possible consequences on the child (66%). Reporting was significantly associated with suspicion of child abuse cases, as well as the belief of legal responsibilities.

CONCLUSION

There was a low reporting rate of child abuse among Jordanian dentists. They lack the adequate knowledge about recognition and reporting issues of suspected cases.