Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding child abuse and neglect among dentists in Turkey

Abstract Limited research attention has been paid to Turkish dentists’ perceptions of child abuse and neglect (CA/N). This study aimed to examine Turkish dentists’ knowledge about, attitudes toward, and perceptions of CA/N. A total of 229 Turkish dentists responded to the self-administered, valid and reliable questionnaire. It consisted of 34 questions that could be classified into the following conceptual categories: a) sociodemographic data, b) knowledge about legal procedures and the orofacial characteristics and findings that are indicative of CA/N, and c) self-efficacy and attitudes toward CA/N. Multivariate analysis of variance was conducted and partial eta squared coefficients were used statistically. Knowledge about legal obligations was associated with occupational experience, highest CA/N education, frequency of child dental treatment. Prior experience with case of suspected CA/N demonstrated the greatest effects. Knowledge about the orofacial characteristics and findings that are indicative of CA/N was associated with prior experience with at least one case of suspected CA/N. The most frequently provided reasons for failure to report cases of suspected CA/N were fear that the child would be harmed. Turkish dentists demonstrated moderate levels of knowledge about their legal obligations and the orofacial characteristics and findings that are indicative of CA/N. Dentists should receive detailed education on CA/N in their undergraduate and postgraduate education. In addition, it is necessary to increase awareness and knowledge about CA/N by providing in-service trainings at the institutions where they work.

摘要 目前学界对土耳其牙医关于儿童虐待与忽视（Child Abuse and Neglect，CA/N）的相关研究关注度不足。本研究旨在考察土耳其牙医对CA/N的认知水平、态度倾向及主观认知。共计229名土耳其牙医参与了本次经过信效度检验的自填式问卷调查。问卷共包含34道题目，可划分为以下三大概念范畴：a）社会人口学资料；b）儿童虐待与忽视相关法律程序、指示性颌面特征与临床表现的认知；c）针对CA/N的自我效能感与态度。本研究采用多变量方差分析进行统计检验，并使用偏Eta平方系数作为统计指标。牙医关于法律义务的认知水平与其执业年限、接受的CA/N相关教育程度及儿童牙科诊疗频次呈显著相关。曾处置过疑似CA/N病例的经历对认知水平的影响最为显著。针对指示CA/N的颌面特征与临床表现的认知水平，则与曾处置过至少1例疑似CA/N病例的经历相关。未上报疑似CA/N病例的最常见原因为担忧儿童会再次遭受伤害。土耳其牙医对自身法律义务及指示CA/N的颌面特征与临床表现的认知水平处于中等程度。牙医应在本科及研究生阶段接受系统的CA/N相关专项教育。此外，还需通过在其就职机构开展在职培训，提升牙医对CA/N的认知水平与相关知识储备。