Dataset Information

Child dental neglect laws: Specifications and repercussions for dentists in 51 jurisdictions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The purpose of this study was to perform an interjurisdictional comparison of statutes and regulations (collectively laws) pertaining to the reporting of child dental neglect by dentists. Case law interpretation or enforcement of the laws was not included in this study.

Methods

Child neglect laws were identified in 51 jurisdictions (50 states and the District of Columbia) by performing a Westlaw legal database search, conducting a systematic internet search, and engaging in direct communication with each jurisdiction. Laws on 2 domains relative to dentists were evaluated: protection from civil and criminal liability when reporting child neglect and sanctions for failing to report child neglect.

Results

All jurisdictions have child neglect laws; however, only 8 specify failing to seek dental treatment as child neglect and none adopt the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's definition. Although all jurisdictions protect dental professionals who report child dental neglect in good faith, sanctions for failing to report neglect include imprisonment from 6 months (49%) through 5 years (2%) and fines from $1,000 (61%) through $10,000 (6%).

Conclusions

Although the laws vary across jurisdictions, dentists are protected when reporting child dental neglect but can be sanctioned for failing to report it.

Practical implications

Dentists may not be aware of the current sanctions or interjurisdictional differences. Becoming informed about these laws may incentivize dentists to establish reporting protocols for child dental neglect.

SUBMITTER: Burgette JM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8860520 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Child dental neglect laws: Specifications and repercussions for dentists in 51 jurisdictions.

Burgette Jacqueline M JM Safdari-Sadaloo Sara M SM Van Nostrand Elizabeth E

Journal of the American Dental Association (1939) 20191216 2

<h4>Background</h4>The purpose of this study was to perform an interjurisdictional comparison of statutes and regulations (collectively laws) pertaining to the reporting of child dental neglect by dentists. Case law interpretation or enforcement of the laws was not included in this study.<h4>Methods</h4>Child neglect laws were identified in 51 jurisdictions (50 states and the District of Columbia) by performing a Westlaw legal database search, conducting a systematic internet search, and engagin ...[more]

PMID: 31858967

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundChild neglect is a public health, human rights, and social problem, with potentially devastating and costly consequences. The aim of this study was to: (1) summarize the oral health profile of children across the globe; (2) provide a brief overview of legal instruments that can offer children protection from dental neglect; and (3) discuss the effectiveness of these legal instruments.MethodsWe summarized and highlighted the caries profile and status of implementation of legislation on child dental neglect for 26 countries representing the World Health Organization regions: five countries in Africa (Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe), eight in the Americas (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Unites States of America, Uruguay), six in the Eastern Mediterranean (Egypt, Iran, Libya, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), four in Europe (Italy, Latvia, Serbia, United Kingdom), two in South-East Asia (India and Indonesia) and one country (China) with its special administrative region (Hong Kong) in the Western Pacific.ResultsTwenty-five of the 26 countries have legal instruments to address child neglect. Only two (8.0%) of these 25 countries had specific legal instruments on child dental neglect. Although child neglect laws can be interpreted to establish a case of child dental neglect, the latter may be difficult to establish in countries where governments have not addressed barriers that limit children's access to oral healthcare. Where there are specific legal instruments to address child dental neglect, a supportive social ecosystem has also been built to facilitate children's access to oral healthcare. A supportive legal environment, however, does not seem to confer extra protection against risks for untreated dental caries.ConclusionsThe institution of specific country-level legislation on child dental neglect may not significantly reduce the national prevalence of untreated caries in children. It, however, increases the prospect for building a social ecosystem that may reduce the risk of untreated caries at the individual level. Social ecosystems to mitigate child dental neglect can be built when there is specific legislation against child dental neglect. It may be more effective to combine public health and human rights-based approaches, inclusive of an efficient criminal justice system to deal with child dental neglect.

Project description:BackgroundDoctors and allied health professionals are facing serious mental health issues, which have received widespread attention. This study aimed to explore the occupational differences in psychological distress between Chinese dentists and dental nurses.Materials and methodsThe data was collected from a cross-sectional study conducted by the Chongqing Stomatological Association. Medical personnel involved in this survey were invited to complete a battery of self-administrated questionnaires, specifically the General Health Questionnaire-12, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and career choice regret scale. Data on demographic characteristics and working conditions were also collected. The results of these questionnaires were analyzed with SPSS (version 23.0). Univariate and multivariable analyzes were conducted to explore the influencing factors.ResultsA total of 3,020 valid questionnaires, including 1,855 dentists and 1,165 dental nurses, were collected from 11 provinces of China. In general, 23.8% of responders exhibited psychological distress. The rate of dentists was 25.7%, and that of dental nurses was 20.8%. The prevalence was 4.9% higher in dentists than in dental nurses (P < 0.05). The multivariable analysis showed that factors associated with psychological distress for dentists were lower income, burnout, high job stress, career-choice regret, and lack of sufficient personal time, and that for dental nurses were age, lower income, longer working hours per week, burnout, high job stress, low job satisfaction, lack of sufficient personal time, and poor medical environment.ConclusionThe prevalence of psychological distress was relatively high among dental medical staff, and dentists showed a higher prevalence than dental nurses. Nurses have more risk factors for psychological distress than dentists. These results indicate that it is necessary to monitor the mental health status of dental medical staff and implement accurate strategies for dentists and dental nurses to promote their physical and mental health.

Project description:ImportancePoverty has long been associated with a higher risk for child maltreatment, and recent research suggests that income support policies are associated with reduced child abuse and neglect. However, income supports tied to employment cannot separate the associations of income from those of employment.ObjectiveTo estimate the short-term association of universal and unconditional income payments to parents with child abuse and neglect.Design, setting, and participantsIn this cross-sectional study, variation in the timing of the 2021 expanded child tax credit (CTC) advance payments was used to determine whether receiving unconditional income is associated with child abuse and neglect. A fixed-effects approach was used to compare child abuse and neglect before and after payments were made in 2021. The study compared 2021 trends with the same period in 2018 and 2019, during which no CTC payments were made. Participants were pediatric emergency department (ED) patients identified as experiencing child abuse or neglect at a level I pediatric hospital system in the Southeastern US from July through December 2021. Data were analyzed from July to August 2022.ExposuresTiming in the disbursement of the expanded CTC advance payments.Main outcomes and measuresDaily child abuse and neglect-related ED visits.ResultsDuring the study period, there were 3169 ED visits related to child abuse or neglect. The 2021 advance payments of the expanded CTC were associated with fewer child abuse and neglect-related ED visits. There was a decrease in these ED visits in the 4 days following the advance CTC payments, although the reduction was not significant (point estimate, -0.22; 95% CI, -0.45 to 0.01; P = .06). There were significant reductions in such ED visits among male children (point estimate, -0.40; 95% CI, -0.75 to -0.06; P = .02) and non-Hispanic White children (point estimate, -0.69; 95% CI, -1.22 to -0.17; P = .01). These reductions did not persist, however.Conclusions and relevanceThese findings suggest that federal income supports to parents are associated with immediate reductions in child abuse and neglect-related ED visits. These results are important for discussions of making the temporary expansion of the CTC permanent and are applicable to income support policies more broadly.

Dataset Information

Child dental neglect laws: Specifications and repercussions for dentists in 51 jurisdictions.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Practical implications

Publications

Child dental neglect laws: Specifications and repercussions for dentists in 51 jurisdictions.

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