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Every year there are 3 million reports of child abuse in the United States. Experts believe actual abuse is three times that number.
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Child abuse occurs at every socio-economic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and all levels of education.
The signs of abuse aren't always obvious. That's why the Delta Dental Foundation offers its P.A.N.D.A. (Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness) educational program to those who are in regular contact with children.
“P.A.N.D.A. provides dentists with detailed training on the physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse and neglect,” says Lawrence A. Dobrin, D.M.D., a dentist with forensic training and experience who practices in Roselle Park, New Jersey. Dr. Dobrin is a spokesperson for the P.A.N.D.A. Coalition.
P.A.N.D.A. was originally created for dentists, who are well positioned to detect child abuse. Two out of every three injuries occur to the head, face, and neck areas, which are readily visible during a dental exam.
In recent years, the P.A.N.D.A. program expanded to include medical professionals, teachers, school nurses, youth group leaders, and other community leaders.
P.A.N.D.A. presentations cover the physical and behavioral signs of child abuse and neglect. They also teach how to report it, who to contact, and how to deal with the sensitive issues involved in filing a report.
Each presentation lasts one to three hours and is conducted by trained professionals. The P.A.N.D.A. Coalition has members who are willing to present the program free of charge to dental or other interested groups with 10 or more members. For more information or to schedule a presentation in New Jersey, please call Delta Dental at (973) 944-4555. In Connecticut call the Connecticut State Dental Association at (860) 278-5550.
For information about other programs to prevent child abuse, visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway at www.childwelfare.gov.
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