Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of Dentists at Military Hospitals Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect: A Cross-sectional Study

Children are considered to be more vulnerable than other society members because of their young age and lack of adequate skills. The annual report of United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) stated that a number of children have lost their lives as a result of maltreatment and violence.

Child abuse is a meaningful problem that exists among different cultural and socio-economic groups. Child abuse includes several conditions that threaten and harms lives of children. It is considered to be one of the largest causes of pediatric mortality.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines CAN as 'Every kind of physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, commercial or other exploitation resulting in actual or potential harm to the child's health, survival, development, or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power'.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) defined dental neglect, as 'willful failure of a parent or guardian to seek and follow through with whatever treatment is necessary to ensure a level of oral health essential for adequate chewing function and freedom from pain and infection'.

The Child Abuse Committee of the Council on Clinical Affairs developed that definition and it was approved in 1983.