Ontario Dental Association supports Child Abuse Prevention Campaign

    "All children deserve to be protected," says ODA President

    TORONTO, Oct. 2 /CNW/ - The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) is
supporting the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS) Child
Abuse Prevention Campaign this October and letting everyone know that the
health and safety of all children is an issue that dentists take very
seriously.
    "All children deserve to be protected," said ODA President Dr. Larry
Levin. "As dentists we have an important role to play - not just as oral
health-care providers but as guardians to these kids. If we suspect that a
child has suffered and is in need of help, it is our responsibility and our
obligation to report it right away. Children should always feel safe, and we
are going to do our very best to ensure that all kids have a life free of
abuse."
    Child abuse and neglect occurs in families of all backgrounds and income
levels. Signals for recognizing abuse could include but are not limited to:-------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Physical                          Behavioural
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fractured teeth                   Extremely fearful or compliant,
                                      agitated, wary of adults, may cringe or
                                      flinch if touched
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Missing teeth in unexpected       Overly quiet, passive, withdrawn,
    areas                             vacant stare
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Trauma in which the explanation   Aggressive or eager to please, extreme
    does not fit the injury           attention seeking
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Jaw and facial fractures          Unkempt or dirty appearance, too neat
                                      or clean, too well-mannered
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Burns, scars inside the mouth     Diminished self-esteem
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Ears and nose damage              Depression
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Bruises or other injuries in      Unusual delay or avoidance of
    various stages of health to       appointments
    the face, neck
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------The Child and Family Services Act (CFSA) requires that all persons
(especially those who provide professional services such as dentists) report
promptly to the local Children's Aid Society (CAS) when they have reasonable
grounds to suspect one of the situations detailed in Section 72 (1) of the
Act. When reporting they must also provide the information upon which their
suspicion is based.
    "We as dentists use our best judgment every single day to ensure that
kids stay safe," said Dr. Levin. "We take this responsibility very seriously
and will continue to do everything we can to ensure that children in our care
are protected."

For further information: please contact us or visit our website at
www.youroralhealth.ca: Kari Cuss, Ontario Dental Association, Tel: (416)
355-2278 or Cell: [phone]; OR Bonnie Dean, Ontario Dental Association,
Tel: [phone], ext. 3305