Importance of Screening for CAN in Patients Presenting With DAT

Background: Dentoalveolar trauma (DAT) and facial trauma is identified in approximately 50% of children with documented child abuse and neglect (CAN). Objective: To assess if differences in social variables exist between children with and without documented CAN who have DAT, and to identify whether those children with documented CAN have specific characteristics to their DAT. Design: Case-controlled study. Methods: The authors reviewed patients who presented to a Level 1 trauma facility with on-call pediatric dentists (PD) between December 2017 and September 2022. The study group consisted of patients with documented CAN, which was identified by the child assessment team, and DAT, which was documented by the PD. The control group was an age- and gender-matched group of patients who were seen in the facility with documented DAT. Results: 2571 and 12,972 patients had documented DAT and CAN, respectively. Overall, 14 patients were identified with CAN and DAT. With a study-to-control gro more...