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DETECTING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AT YOUR LOCAL DENTAL OFFICE

Owings Mills, MD (October 25, 2001) - Nearly three million cases of child abuse are reported each year in the United States, but experts say that's not even one-third of the actual total. Locally, in 1998 the number of reported Maryland cases reached 14,234; D.C. reported 4,916, and Delaware logged 2,894 cases. With those stark statistics in mind, more than a half-dozen dental care-related groups, with a $30,000 boost from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, have joined in an effort to help dental professionals become more effective weapons in fighting child abuse. Their effort is called P.A.N.D.A., a kid-friendly name derived from "Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness."

"As much as 75 percent of physical abuse involves injuries to the head and neck," said Gary Colangelo, DDS, MGA, dental director for CareFirst. However, less than one percent of reported child abuse originates with dental professionals, who tend to see patients more frequently than other health care providers. State law requires dental professionals to report suspected cases of child abuse to authorities and they can be held liable if suspected cases are not reported.

"While many abusers will avoid returning to the same physicians, they will return to the same dental office," Dr. Colangelo said. "With education, dentists are five times more likely to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect."

To help the profession better recognize and respond to evidence of abuse, the P.A.N.D.A. Coalition offers a variety of educational programs and information. P.A.N.D.A. was founded in 1992 and was developed by Delta Dental of Missouri. Since its founding, 44 additional state and six international coalitions have replicated the original P.A.N.D.A. initiative.

While the program was originally designed for dental audiences; presentations can be customized "for anyone that works with or cares about children," said Lynn Mouden, DDS, MPH, director of the Arkansas Department of Health's Office of Oral Health and co-founder of P.A.N.D.A. Mouden administers oral health programs such as fluoridation and family violence prevention to a wide range of audiences.

Some indications of physical abuse and neglect are unexplained bruises and welts, as well as burns, fractures and abrasions. Indications of physical neglect include poor hygiene, inappropriate dress and unattended medical and dental needs.

"Dental neglect can cause a child constant pain which makes it difficult for them to eat, sleep or concentrate in school," Dr. Mouden said. "We want people to become involved not only to recognize and report suspected cases of abuse and neglect but more importantly to save lives."

In 1999, an estimated 1,401 children died as a result of child abuse and neglect, nearly four children every day, according to the National Center on Child Abuse Prevention. Even though these deaths are uncommon, the numbers have risen 12 percent over the past five years.

P.A.N.D.A.'s educational programs have proven to be effective. For example, Missouri, which hosted the first P.A.N.D.A. program, has seen a 160 percent increase in dentists reporting suspected abuse and neglect within the first year. Oklahoma's P.A.N.D.A. program produced a 400 percent increase in reports and Illinois reports increased by 800 percent.

More information regarding the P.A.N.D.A. Coalition can be obtained from Dr. Colangelo at 410-528-7908.

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is a not-for-profit health company, which, along with its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to more than 3 million individuals and groups in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland and Delaware.

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