Practice abstract
British Dental Journal 203, 645 - 648 (2007)
Published online: 8 December 2007 | doi:10.1038/bdj.2007.1066
Subject Categories: Health policy | Team work
The role of the dental team in responding to domestic violence
P. Coulthard1 & A. L. Warburton2
- Dentists and dental care professionals should identify domestic violence
- Dentists and dental care professionals should provide information about where the patient who is experiencing domestic violence may get help
- The UK Department of Health has provided guidance for healthcare professionals including dental professionals about dealing with domestic violence
Abstract
The face is a common target in assault and consequently the dentist and dental care professional has a part to play in identifying domestic violence.1, 2 Domestic violence is a term which refers to a wide range of physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse of people who are, or have been, intimate partners - whether or not they are married or cohabiting.3, 4 Although domestic violence can take place in any intimate relationship, including gay and lesbian partnerships, and whilst abuse of men by female partners does occur, the great majority and the most severe incidents of domestic violence, are perpetrated by men against women and we have therefore elected refer to the victim of assault in this paper as 'she' for ease of writing.
- Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The School of Dentistry, The University of Manchester, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester M15 6FH
- Centre for Women's Mental Health Research, Division of Psychiatry, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL
Correspondence to: P. Coulthard1 e-mail: paul.coulthard@manchester.ac.uk