RECOGNIZING SIGNS OF DENTAL NEGLECT - AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED FORM OF CHILD ABUSE

-April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month-

-Delta Dental offers free educational awareness program to community-

PARSIPPANY, NJ (April 4, 2007) – A form of child abuse not often considered is dental neglect. By definition, dental neglect is the willful failure of a parent or guardian to seek and follow through with
treatment necessary to ensure a level of oral health essential for adequate function and freedom from pain and infection, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Neglect can lead to tooth decay, which is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases among U.S. children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Left untreated it can result in pain, dysfunction, malnutrition, being underweight, or having poor appearance, factors that can have a great effect on a child's performance in school, self esteem and overall health.

Lawrence A. Dobrin, DMD, a spokesperson for the Delta Dental of New Jersey P.A.N.D.A. Coalition (Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness), practicing dentist in Roselle Park and the Chief Forensic Dentist for New York City, has had experience identifying and reporting dental neglect through his work.

"An adult in the presence of a child who is experiencing dental neglect might observe that the child's teeth are rotted or grossly discolored. Also, the offending odor that comes from badly decayed teeth is quite
noticeable," explained Dr. Dobrin.

Additional signs of dental neglect that those caring for children can look out for include when a child is unable to eat normally; does not smile with his or her teeth; demonstrates changes in behavior, for example puts his or her hand in front of his or her mouth; or is in chronic pain.

There are many social, economical, and even cultural reasons why neglect may happen in families. However, many times a parent or guardian may not realize that their child's oral health is being neglected, or they simply may not understand the consequences.

"Parents cannot expect young children to properly take care of their teeth without guidance. It is also a grave misconception of some parents that baby teeth will fall out, and therefore do not need to be taken care of," said Dr. Dobrin. "Baby teeth have nerves in them and can get infected if badly decayed, just like adult teeth. In fact, these teeth hold the space for permanent teeth to erupt and can remain in the child's mouth up until they are about 12 years old. Neglect can create serious oral and overall health problems for the child to deal with, well into adulthood."

For more than 12 years, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation has offered P.A.N.D.A, a free educational program to help identify, prevent, and report all kinds of child abuse and neglect, to New Jersey school faculty and administration, dental office and clinic personnel, and other professional organizations that care for children.

"P.A.N.D.A. was originally created for dentists who are well positioned to detect child abuse, because two out of every three injuries occur to the head, face, and neck areas," said Dr. Dobrin.

For more information about P.A.N.D.A, or to schedule a presentation, e-mail Kimberly Elmore at Delta Dental, kelmore@deltadentalnj.com, or call, (973) 944-4555.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, please call 1-877-NJ Abuse (652-2873). Calls can be placed anonymously to the hotline.

Sidebar: Signs of Abuse in the Mouth

The mouth is many times a target of physical abuse. Non-accidental injuries most often include burns in the mouth caused by scalding liquids; fractured or avulse teeth; bruises to the palate and inner cheeks; the muscle under the tongue torn or the area under the lip damaged from food or utensils being shoved in the child's mouth. If a child is the victim of sexual abuse, signs of certain sexually transmitted diseases may present in the mouth, as well.

About Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation
Delta Dental established the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation in 1986. Its mission includes promoting and assisting educational projects devoted to the enhancement of dental health, research programs designed to increase public awareness of the general benefits of good health, and to improve dental health through the science of dentistry. Each year, the Delta Dental Foundation provides financial support to various organizations throughout the state.

About Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc.
Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s and Connecticut's leading dental benefits carrier, providing coverage to more than one million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut. The Delta Dental system offers seamless dental benefits administration for employer groups throughout the country and the largest network of credentialed dentists in the nation. For more information visit us on the Web at www.deltadentalnj.com