Safeguarding
Repeated unexplained injuries, neglect or concerning behaviour warrant careful documentation and action through local safeguarding pathways.
Understand
Dental injuries, severe untreated disease or inconsistent explanations can be safeguarding signals but none alone proves abuse or neglect. The child's welfare is the priority.
Assess
Document factual findings, the explanation given and the child's words where appropriate. Consider developmental ability and seek advice through the safeguarding lead.
Apply
Follow local pathways promptly and share information proportionately. Do not promise secrecy or conduct an independent forensic interview.
Key distinctions
Safeguarding concerns should be interpreted with developmental stage, family context and the pattern over time. The clinician's role is to record facts and raise concern through a pathway, not determine culpability. Severe untreated caries can indicate unmet need but may also reflect barriers to access; respond with support and proportionate safeguarding action.
Think through a case
A child's injury explanation changes across appointments and there is severe untreated disease. Record objective findings and seek safeguarding advice rather than deciding guilt.
The distinction to remember
Do not interrogate the child or promise secrecy; follow the established process.
Test your recall
Should a clinician investigate suspected abuse independently?
Show answer
No; record concerns and follow established safeguarding procedures.