Why the P.A.N.D.A. Program?
Reported cases of child abuse and neglect are rising at an alarming rate all over the country. Dentists, along with other health care professionals, are mandated by state law to report suspected cases of abuse and neglect. Nationally, up to 65% of child abuse injuries involve the head, face, neck, and mouth areas, which are routinely observed by dental professionals.
Last year in Kansas alone, more than 53,000 reports of child abuse and neglect were made. However, of that number, only a small percentage came from dentists. The extremely low reporting rate by dentists seems to be related to the lack of training dentists receive in how to recognize and report abuse and neglect. They may also have concerns about the ramifications of becoming legally involved in such cases. Studies have indicated that dentists are nearly five times as likely to report suspected abuse if they receive education in this area. The P.A.N.D.A. program addresses these issues so that dental personnel will have the information they need in suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.
Child abuse and reporting requirements
Child abuse is any mistreatment or neglect of a child that results in harm or injury. Child abuse can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Certain injuries and conditions such as bruises and welts, burns, lacerations and abrasions, skeletal injuries, injuries caused by twisting or pulling, head injuries, or internal injuries are often seen in cases of abuse and neglect. These warning signals or indicators should be considered in light of explanations provided, medical history, and the developmental abilities of the child to engage in activities that might have caused injury.
In addition to physical injuries, abused children also display certain types of behavior. Children exhibit many of these behaviors at one time or another, but when they are present in sufficient number and strength to characterize a child's overall manner, they may indicate abuse. These behavioral characteristics include:
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Overly compliant, passive, and undemanding behaviors which are aimed at avoiding any possible confrontation with the abuser. |
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Extremely aggressive, demanding, and rageful behaviors (sometimes hyperactive) caused by frustration or a desire to get attention by whatever means necessary. |
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Role-reversed "parental" behavior or extremely dependent behavior that occurs when abusive parents turn to their children to satisfy their own needs or try to keep their children dependent long after a child in a healthy family would be more self-reliant. |
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Lags in developmental or motor skill, toilet training, socialization, or language which may be caused by the children having to siphon energy, normally channeled towards growth, into protecting themselves. |
P.A.N.D.A. Materials Toolkit
You can make a difference in eliminating child abuse and knowing what to look for is the first step. Please utilize the information below to learn more about the warning signs, reporting laws, our P.A.N.D.A. program, and what you can do to stop child abuse and neglect.
P.A.N.D.A. Fact Sheet
P.A.N.D.A. Tip Card
What Can I Do?
Indicators of Child Abuse and Neglect
Kansas Reporting Laws
P.A.N.D.A. Coalition
The P.A.N.D.A. Coalition is a public-private partnership committed to educating dental professionals and others to recognize and report suspected cases of child abuse. The goal of the Coalition is to heighten awareness of child abuse and neglect issues within the dental and medical community. We offer the necessary education to assist dental professionals in performing their duties as mandated reporters of child abuse in the state of Kansas. The following organizations are members of the P.A.N.D.A. Coalition:
Bikers Against Child Abuse
Court Appointed Special Advocates
Delta Dental of Kansas
Johnson County Community College Dental Hygiene Program
Just About Kids Foundation
Kansas Children’s Service League
Kansas Dental Assistants Association
Kansas Dental Association
Kansas Dental Hygienists’ Association
Kansas Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services (SRS)
Sunflower House
Wichita Children’s Home
Wichita Police Department
Wichita State University Department of Dental Hygiene
P.A.N.D.A.'s educational program
Representatives from the P.A.N.D.A. Coalition have formed a speaker's bureau to take the program to their respective audiences, and a P.A.N.D.A. presentation qualifies hour for hour for continuing education credits for dentists and hygienists. For more information on the P.A.N.D.A. program, email us at pr@deltadentalks.com.