Child abuse knowledge and attitudes among dental and oral health therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Child abuse and neglect are significant social and health issues in New Zealand. As the government provides free oral care to children and adolescents, oral health practitioners are positioned to respond to child protection concerns. However, research on the knowledge and attitud...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-12-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08907-1 |
| _version_ | 1811302427025997824 |
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| author | Heuiwon Han Amanda B. Lees Zac Morse Jane Koziol-McLain |
| author_facet | Heuiwon Han Amanda B. Lees Zac Morse Jane Koziol-McLain |
| author_sort | Heuiwon Han |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Child abuse and neglect are significant social and health issues in New Zealand. As the government provides free oral care to children and adolescents, oral health practitioners are positioned to respond to child protection concerns. However, research on the knowledge and attitudes of oral health practitioners is limited. This study aimed to understand the knowledge and attitudes of New Zealand dental and oral health therapists in detecting and reporting child abuse and neglect. Methods In this descriptive exploratory cross-sectional study, we invited registered New Zealand dental and oral health therapists treating children and adolescents to the anonymous online survey. Results Among the 92 dental and oral health therapists, 72% agreed that they could recognise the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect. Yet, only 48% agreed they were familiar with the reporting process. During their professional careers, 62% had at least 1 suspected case; and only 21% had ever reported their concerns. Fear of false reporting (70%) was the most significant barrier. Conclusions Participants understood child abuse and neglect as significant social issues; however, the knowledge and attitudes to respond were limited. Efforts to enhance the knowledge and attitudes will be necessary to promote child safety and wellbeing. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T07:27:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4050cfb8f779486795b8c4d0223acb73 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T07:27:40Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-4050cfb8f779486795b8c4d0223acb732022-12-22T02:56:26ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632022-12-0122111010.1186/s12913-022-08907-1Child abuse knowledge and attitudes among dental and oral health therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand: a cross-sectional studyHeuiwon Han0Amanda B. Lees1Zac Morse2Jane Koziol-McLain3Department of Oral Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of TechnologySchool of Public Health and Interdisciplinary Studies, Auckland University of TechnologyDepartment of Oral Health, School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of TechnologyCentre for Interdisciplinary Trauma Research, Auckland University of TechnologyAbstract Background Child abuse and neglect are significant social and health issues in New Zealand. As the government provides free oral care to children and adolescents, oral health practitioners are positioned to respond to child protection concerns. However, research on the knowledge and attitudes of oral health practitioners is limited. This study aimed to understand the knowledge and attitudes of New Zealand dental and oral health therapists in detecting and reporting child abuse and neglect. Methods In this descriptive exploratory cross-sectional study, we invited registered New Zealand dental and oral health therapists treating children and adolescents to the anonymous online survey. Results Among the 92 dental and oral health therapists, 72% agreed that they could recognise the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect. Yet, only 48% agreed they were familiar with the reporting process. During their professional careers, 62% had at least 1 suspected case; and only 21% had ever reported their concerns. Fear of false reporting (70%) was the most significant barrier. Conclusions Participants understood child abuse and neglect as significant social issues; however, the knowledge and attitudes to respond were limited. Efforts to enhance the knowledge and attitudes will be necessary to promote child safety and wellbeing.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08907-1Child abuse and neglectChild protectionChild maltreatmentOral health practitionersDental practitionersDental therapist |
| spellingShingle | Heuiwon Han Amanda B. Lees Zac Morse Jane Koziol-McLain Child abuse knowledge and attitudes among dental and oral health therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand: a cross-sectional study BMC Health Services Research Child abuse and neglect Child protection Child maltreatment Oral health practitioners Dental practitioners Dental therapist |
| title | Child abuse knowledge and attitudes among dental and oral health therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Child abuse knowledge and attitudes among dental and oral health therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Child abuse knowledge and attitudes among dental and oral health therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Child abuse knowledge and attitudes among dental and oral health therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Child abuse knowledge and attitudes among dental and oral health therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | child abuse knowledge and attitudes among dental and oral health therapists in aotearoa new zealand a cross sectional study |
| topic | Child abuse and neglect Child protection Child maltreatment Oral health practitioners Dental practitioners Dental therapist |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08907-1 |
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