Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: February | Volume: 10 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 861-687
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.202302103
Evaluation of Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude of Dental Professionals of Delhi-NCR Region Towards Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN)
Tauqeer Ul Nisa1, Neetika Gupta2, Ishfaq Gulzar3, Rythm Batra4, Nimra Iqbal5
1,4,5Department of Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry, 2Department of periodontics & Implantology, 3Consultant Internal Medicine,
ITS Dental College, Greater Noida, India
Corresponding Author: Tauqeer Ul Nisa
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Child abuse is engaging in an action or not engaging in an action by the parents or child’s guardian(s) that violates the child’s rights and puts his/her favorable life, development and dignity at risk. Children who have been abused or who experience dental neglect may/may not present to a dental professional for evaluation. It is an ethical and legal responsibility of dental practioners to have knowledge, awareness, and to participate actively in diagnosis, and report the cases of child abuse.
AIM: To evaluate the knowledge, awareness and attitude regarding child abuse and neglect (CAN) amongst dental practioners of Delhi- NCR region.
MATERIALS AND METHOD: Present study was designed as a cross sectional observational study using a pretested, prevalidated close-ended questionnaire. Questionnaire was distributed among the 500 dental professionals in Delhi-NCR region. Filled questionnaires were collected on the same day. The response formats were tabulated and subjected to descriptive and analytical statistics in SPSS 19.0. R
RESULTS: Majority of the respondents were aware about child abuse and neglect, gender predominance and associated role of socioeconomic status. Knowledge regarding presenting symptoms, referral and treatment options was found to be inadequate and the respondents wanted to enhance their knowledge regarding the same. About 92.7% - Age group of 20-30 yrs. feel CAN is matter of concern. Females had more awareness and positive attitude towards attending programs regarding CAN. Age group above 50yrs age – 54.5% professionals referred the cases of CAN for care. 89.9% of dental Professionals of Age group 20-30 yrs. willing to attend programs for increasing their awareness
CONCLUSION: Knowledge and Awareness of dentists about the indicators of child abuse was found to be inadequate. However, the respondents showed positive attitude towards improving their professional knowledge.
Keywords: [Child abuse, Physical abuse, Neglect, oro-dental Injuries, Child protection training
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