Why the P.A.N.D.A. Program?
Reported cases of child abuse and neglect are rising at an alarming rate. Last year in Kansas alone, more than 36,000 reports of child abuse and neglect were made. Dentists, along with other health care professionals, are mandated by state law to report suspected cases of abuse and neglect. Nationally, more than 65% of child abuse injuries involve the head, face, neck and mouth areas, which are routinely observed by dental professionals.
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 professionals have the information they need to identify and report suspected cases.
Warning Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect
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. In addition to physical injuries, abused children often display certain types of behavior. Warning signs of abuse include:
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Loose or fractured teeth |
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Bruises or cuts, especially near the face |
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Cigarette or immersion burns |
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Absence of hair from hair pulling |
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Child is dressed inappropriately for the weather (i.e. covering bruises, etc.) |
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Child is frightened of parents |
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Apprehensive when others cry |
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Overly compliant, passive or undemanding |
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Lags in development or motor skills |
Neglect can be as harmful as abuse. It is defined as the failure of a parent, guardian or other caregiver to provide for a child's basic needs. Neglect may be physical, medical, educational or emotional. Warning signs of neglect include:
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Child is dirty, unkempt or displays poor oral hygiene |
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Rampant cavities in a child's mouth |
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Untreated pain, infection, bleeding or trauma |
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History of a lack of follow-through for care |
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Evidence of poor supervision |
Warning signs 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.
Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
Many employees within the medical and dental professions are mandated by state law to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. A few include dentists, dental hygienists, doctors, nurses, psychologists, teachers, counselors, social works, law enforcement and many more. A full list of state-mandated reporters, and the Kansas law in its entirety, can be found within the Kansas Code for Care of Children.
Suspect child abuse and neglect? Contact the Kansas Protection Report Center at (800) 922-5330. This Guide to Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect in Kansas can help you.
P.A.N.D.A. Materials Toolkit
You can make a difference in eliminating child abuse. Knowing what to look for is the first step. Please utilize the information below to learn more about the warning signs, reporting laws, the P.A.N.D.A. program, and what you can do to stop child abuse and neglect.
What Can I Do?
Indicators of Child Abuse and Neglect
P.A.N.D.A. Fact Sheet
P.A.N.D.A. Tip Card
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 on how to recognize and report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. 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
Kansas Children’s Service League
Kansas City Kansas Police Department
Kansas Dental Assistants Association
Kansas Dental Association
Kansas Dental Hygienists’ Association
Kansas Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services (SRS)
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office
Sunflower House
Wichita Children’s Home
Wichita Police Department
Wichita State University Department of Dental Hygiene
Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office
Youthville
P.A.N.D.A. Media
Browse the articles below to learn more about what Delta Dental of Kansas' P.A.N.D.A. program has been doing. The most recent articles appear at the top; to read the full article, click 'More.'
KCKPD receives shipment of Pandas
Kansas City Kansan
April 28, 2009
Dozens of panda bears were presented to Deputy Chief Roger Villanueva of the Kansas City Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) by Linda Brantner, President and CEO of Delta Dental of Kansas on Tuesday. The bears will be stationed in officers' patrol cars where they can bring comfort to children in dangerous situations within a moment's notice. More>
Sheriff's Department Stocked with Pandas
KNSS News Radio 1330
April 16, 2009
Dozens of panda bears were presented to Sedgwick County Sheriff Robert Hinshaw Thursday morning by Delta Dental of Kansas' President and CEO, Linda Brantner. The bears will be stationed in sheriff's officers' patrol cars where they can bring comfort to children in dangerous situations within a moment's notice. More>
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, contact us at panda@deltadentalks.com or (316) 264-1099.