Assessment of the Knowledge of United Arab Emirates Dentists of Child Maltreatment, Protection and Safeguarding
Date
2016
Authors
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Publisher
Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
Background: Child safeguarding, governed by international, national and local laws, is
the responsibility of all members of society. Members of the dental team are in a unique
position to recognize Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) in dental practice and in the wider
society.
Objective: To assess the awareness of dentists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with
regards to child maltreatment, child protection and child safeguarding.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 381 UAE dentists was
conducted. Questions related to the knowledge and practice of CAN and related safeguarding
issues were tabled and cross tabulated against demographic variables. Statistical analysis was
carried out using Chi-square, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation test. Statistical
significance was set as p <0.05.
Results: 39.4 % (n=152) of the participants had suspected CAN (mean 1.3 CAN cases in
the last 5 years); male dentists suspected more CAN than female dentists, however,
orthodontists, paediatric dentists (p=0.000) and female dentists (p=0.001) were more
knowledgeable about diagnosing CAN. Paediatric dentists attended more CAN-related
postgraduate training (p=0.000) than other specialties. Amongst other results, 53.5% (n=204)
were not aware of child protection guidelines, 58.1% (n=224) and 54.1% (n=206) had
undergraduate and postgraduate training about CAN issues respectively and 90.8 % (n=346)
believed that CAN should be addressed. Barriers to dentists referring CAN cases for child
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protection were; fear of family violence (59.6%, n=227), lack of knowledge of referral
process (60.2%, n=228) and lack of diagnosis certainty (54.9%, n=206). UAE dentists
qualified in Western and Asian countries had significantly fewer barriers for child protection
(p=0.022) than the Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council qualified dentists.
Conclusions:
The UAE dentists surveyed witnessed CAN with an average of 1.3 cases in the last 5 years.
Many variables (such as gender, specialty, and country of qualification) affected the dentist’s
knowledge of CAN and the practice of child safeguarding. Despite agreeing that CAN is an
issue that should be addressed, a majority were not aware of the local child protection
guidelines and had perceived barriers preventing them from arranging a child protection
referral. Female dentists, orthodontists and paediatric dentists scored significantly higher in
recognizing CAN cases compared to male dentists and other specialties (general dental
practitioners, restorative dentists and oral surgeons). Training and practice recommendations
were made. Knowledge of CAN did not necessarily mean more practice of child protection.
There was no correlation between those who scored high in CAN knowledge and the CAN
practice scores.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
International Resources, child maltreatment, dental care, dentists, United Arab Emirates
Citation
Al Hajer, H. (2016). Assessment of the Knowledge of United Arab Emirates Dentists of Child Maltreatment, Protection and Safeguarding. Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences