INTRODUCTION
Child neglect or maltreatment can manifest in the oral cavity and present in GP consultations. Even though oral injuries are mentioned in general safeguarding training, and the Royal College of General Practitioners Curriculum makes reference to oral conditions and dental problems, GPs tend to undergo little formal teaching in oral health. Therefore, they tend to be less confident in spotting and acting upon signs of oral maltreatment and neglect than for other areas of the body. This article gives a brief summary of what GPs should look out for, and how they should respond to such concerns.
CASE SCENARIOS
Case 1
A 5-year-old boy is brought by his mother to the GP surgery for behavioural problems. She asks for a Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) referral. When the boy smiles you notice many decayed teeth. What should you do?
Case 2
A 3-year-old girl presents with a 3-day history of fever and otalgia. The right tympanic membrane is red, the throat normal, but you notice a 1 cm-diameter, clearly demarcated red patch on the hard palate. Is this palatal lesion a concern? What should you do?
DENTAL CARIES
Childhood dental caries is common. In 2019, in England one quarter of 5-year-old children had dental decay.1 This decay had a greater prevalence among children of ‘Other Ethnic Groups’, Asian/Asian British groups, and those living in the most deprived areas.1 Dental decay is also more common in children who are overweight and children of …
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