BSPD’s ground-breaking dental neglect policy updated and published in IJPD
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 20th October 2023
BSPD’s policy document on dental neglect in children, which was originally developed and published in 2009, has now been updated and published as an open-access paper in the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry (IJPD).[1] The original dental neglect policy followed Child Protection and the Dental Team, which was a significant document that first raised awareness in the UK of dental neglect, and was the point at which the urgent need for guidance for dental professionals was recognised.
Dental neglect policy updates:
Importantly the recommendations are broadly unchanged: at its heart remains the use of a three-tier model for responding to concerns. However, the new policy now reflects progress since 2009 in our understanding of dental neglect. An expanded section focuses on the broader impacts of dental disease. The update also includes references to examples of good practice that have developed over the intervening 14 years. The revised version is now written with the needs of both dental professionals and non-dental healthcare professionals in mind. The changes were made in response to feedback gathered via a focus group – and then modified further after consultation with stakeholders.
Why an up-to-date dental neglect policy matters:
Dental neglect may occur in isolation, or may be an indicator of a wider picture of neglect or abuse. Dental neglect may even be the first sign of child maltreatment. Dental professionals must know what to do if they are concerned about a child. Dental neglect is very common, so we are likely to encounter it frequently – indeed, a survey in 2016 showed that 62% of paediatric dentists come across children with neglected dentitions daily or more often. This was unchanged since the previous survey in 2005[2].
The team responsible for the dental neglect policy document update was led by Miss Lucy Ridsdale, who joined the original authorship team of Mrs Jenny Harris, Dr Richard Balmer and Professor Peter Sidebotham, together with new members Dr Fiona Gilchrist and, representing the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Dr Ruth Skelton.
BSPD continues to be committed to working with the dental profession and external stakeholders to raise awareness of dental neglect. A link to the updated document is available on the BSPD website (https://www.bspd.co.uk/Professionals/Resources/Policy-Documents) and it is also accessible in the IJPD (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ipd.13120).
Dr Jenny Harris, BSPD Past-President said: “BSPD’s mission is to uphold the overall wellbeing of children and key to this is encouraging good safeguarding practice in dentistry. Keeping our research and recommendations up to date is important to ensure that those working within the dental profession are well-informed about dental neglect and its significance as a flag to overall neglect. I am extremely grateful to the diligent team of colleagues who worked with me on this updated policy document as we all continue to campaign for a reduction in oral health inequalities.”
References:
[1] Ridsdale L, Gilchrist F, Balmer RC, Skelton R, Sidebotham PD, Harris JC. British Society of Paediatric Dentistry: A policy document on dental neglect in children. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2023. Early view.. doi:10.1111/ipd.13120
[2] Harris JC, Baker SR, Elcock C (2022). Paediatric dentists’ role in child protection practice: progress over time? International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 32: 714–723. doi:10.1111/ipd.12950
