With the arrival of summer, children will once again be spending their days at home. For some children that's great. For children who are abused or neglected, however, home and not be such a pleasant place. In 1992, more than 3 million cases of suspected child abuse and neglect were reported.

Dentists have always been in a good position to detect abuse and neglect since many abuse cases involve injuries to the head, neck and mouth.

Dentists may also be the only health care provider who patients see on a regular basis. This gives them an opportunity to observe a patient for abuse or neglect signs such as burns, bruises, bite marks, abrasions or psychlogical signs such as a child who is withdrawn, angry, depressed, disruptive, frightened, afraid to go home or who seldom smiles.

Dental neglect may be less dramatic than abuse, but it can make it difficult or impossible for a child to preform daily activities. It is the failure of a parent to obtain appropriate treatment for cavities. It is the failure of a parent to abtain appropriate treatment for cavities, oral infections or other conditions that make routine eating difficult or impossible, cause chronic pain or retard a child's growth or development.

The American Dental Association has launced a campaign to train dentists in recognizing possiblecases of abuse or neglect and to instruct in how to report suspected cases.

Determining if sexual abuse has occured is not always easy. Thirty-three percent of children who were sexually abused never told anyone of the abuse.

Dentists who suspect that a child has been abused can contact their local Department of Social Services (DDS) much the same way that they would consult with a family physician.

The dentists' only obligation, if they suspect that a child has been abused, is to call DDS. The department is obligated to determine if an investigation is necessary.

Dentists are mandated in all 50 states to report a case, and all mandated reporters are protected from civil and criminal charges. ADA member dentists are also ethically obligated to report.