Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding child abuse and neglect among dentists in Turkey

BULDUR, Burak; BÜYÜKKÖK, Çiğdem; CAVALCANTI, Alessandro Leite

doi:10.1590/1807-3107bor-2022.vol36.0001

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Original research, Pediatric Dentistry • Braz. oral. res. 36 • 2022 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2022.vol36.0001 copy

Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding child abuse and neglect among dentists in Turkey

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Limited research attention has been paid to Turkish dentists’ perceptions of child abuse and neglect (CA/N). This study aimed to examine Turkish dentists’ knowledge about, attitudes toward, and perceptions of CA/N. A total of 229 Turkish dentists responded to the self-administered, valid and reliable questionnaire. It consisted of 34 questions that could be classified into the following conceptual categories: a) sociodemographic data, b) knowledge about legal procedures and the orofacial characteristics and findings that are indicative of CA/N, and c) self-efficacy and attitudes toward CA/N. Multivariate analysis of variance was conducted and partial eta squared coefficients were used statistically. Knowledge about legal obligations was associated with occupational experience, highest CA/N education, frequency of child dental treatment. Prior experience with case of suspected CA/N demonstrated the greatest effects. Knowledge about the orofacial characteristics and findings that are indicative of CA/N was associated with prior experience with at least one case of suspected CA/N. The most frequently provided reasons for failure to report cases of suspected CA/N were fear that the child would be harmed. Turkish dentists demonstrated moderate levels of knowledge about their legal obligations and the orofacial characteristics and findings that are indicative of CA/N. Dentists should receive detailed education on CA/N in their undergraduate and postgraduate education. In addition, it is necessary to increase awareness and knowledge about CA/N by providing in-service trainings at the institutions where they work.

Child Abuse; Dentists; Domestic Violence; Wounds and Injuries

Variables	n	%	Orofacial findings				Legal obligations

			Mean	95%CI		p-value	Mean	95%CI		p-value
Gender						p > 0.05				p > 0.05
Women	105	45.85	7.13	6.47	7.80		2.73	2.47	3.00
Men	124	54.15	7.57	6.90	8.25		2.87	2.66	3.09
Education level						p > 0.05				p > 0.05
Undergraduate	139	60.70	7.08	6.52	7.64		2.80	2.58	3.02
Postgraduate	90	39.30	7.80	6.98	8.66		2.82	2.55	3.09
Place of work						p > 0.05				p > 0.05
Public	99	43.23	7.06	6.39	7.73		2.85	2.58	3.11
University	88	38.43	7.27	6.55	8.00		2.78	2.53	3.03
Private clinic	34	14.85	8.31	6.90	9.72		2.76	2.32	3.20
Occupational experience (year)						p < 0.05 µ² = 0.052				p > 0.05
1–5	82	35.81	7.21	6.46	7.96		2.95	2.65	3.25
6–10	59	25.76	7.10	6.21	7.99		2.59	2.27	2.91
11–15	69	30.13	7.04	6.08	8.01		2.91	2.62	3.20
> 16*	19	8.30	10.11	8.78	11.46		2.47	1.80	3.14
Highest CA/N training						p < 0.05 µ² = 0.043				p > 0.05
Undergraduate	205	89.52	7.11	6.62	7.60		2.75	2.58	2.92
Postgraduate*	24	10.48	9.58	8.08	11.09		3.29	2.69	3.90
Self-efficacy						p > 0.05				p > 0.05
Sufficient	80	34.93	7.15	6.39	7.91		2.95	2.65	3.25
Neither nor	57	24.89	7.04	6.16	7.92		2.54	2.23	2.85
Insufficient	92	40.17	7.77	6.95	8.60		2.85	2.58	3.11
Frequency of child dental treatment (in a day)						p < 0.05 µ² = 0.054				p > 0.05
Never	28	12.23	7.29	5.84	8.73		2.96	2.40	3.50
< 10	97	42.36	7.20	6.56	7.90		2.71	2.46	2.96
11–20	72	31.44	6.71	5.89	7.53		2.93	2.63	3.23
> 20*	32	13.97	9.38	7.86	10.89		2.69	2.20	3.18
Suspect of CA/N (at least one)						p<0.05 µ² =.048				p < 0.05 µ² = 0.023
Yes*	50	21.83	8.88	7.76	9.98		2.18	2.77	3.59
No	179	78.17	6.95	6.44	7.46		3.70	2.52	2.88

Questions	Correct answer	n	%
Legal obligation
The institution or clinic where you work has a protocol for recording and reporting suspicion of child abuse and neglect (CA/N).	Yes	58	25.3
When dentists suspect child abuse and/or child neglect. Which of the following should they legally report?	Both child abuse and neglect	42	18.3
What is the penalty if a dentist suspects CA/N and does not report it?	Heavy panel	54	23.6
What is it considered when the caregiver fails to provide their child dental treatments, even though the caregiver is aware of early childhood caries?	Child neglect	52	22.7
Which institution must you report to if you suspect CA/N?	My supervisor	30	13.1
Orofacial characteristics and findings
CA/N is associated with low income.	Wrong	99	43.2
Abused children often tell someone about the abuse.	Wrong	125	54.6
If a child says that he or she has suffered harm from an adult, it should be taken seriously.	Right	199	86.9
CA/N should be suspected if a family delays medical treatment for a child’s injury.	Right	85	37.1
Children are not taken from their families in CA/N cases.	Right	103	45.0
Bruises on the cheek may be a sign of slapping or squeezing.	Right	165	72.1
Bruises are usually seen in bony areas.	Right	102	44.5
There is a strong relationship between dental neglect and physical neglect.	Right	136	59.4
Colored or avulsed teeth may be a CA/N finding due to repeated trauma.	Right	178	77.7
Bruises around the neck are usually accidental.	Wrong	166	72.5
Burns are usually associated with CA/N and are generally similar to the shapes of items that get hot.	Right	80	34.9
Bite marks in a routine dental examination are possible signs of CA/N.	Wrong	176	76.9
Abnormal knowledge in children about sexual issues and maladaptive behaviors based on age are CA/N findings.	Right	189	82.5

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[1] Corresponding Author: Burak Buldur E-mail: bbuldur@gmail.com