Speak Up: Reporting Child Abuse

Why reporting suspected abuse is a legal duty and a moral calling

Every day, dental assistants help protect smiles. But sometimes, your job extends far beyond teeth.

What happens when you notice bruises that don’t match the story? Or a child flinches at every touch? Or you sense fear in their eyes when a parent speaks?

In cases like these, dental professionals—including dental assistants—are not just allowed to act. They are required to.

Recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse is not optional. In most U.S. states, it’s a legal obligation for dental professionals. But even beyond legal boundaries, it's a matter of moral responsibility and professional ethics.

Let’s explore why your role as a mandated reporter matters, how to respond, and how this duty shapes your place in the dental team—and in a child’s life.

1. You Are a Mandated Reporter—Yes, You

   Many dental assistants assume that only the dentist is responsible for reporting suspected abuse. This is a dangerous misconception.

   In most states, dental assistants are explicitly named as mandated reporters in the law. This means you are legally required to report any reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect. You do not need to be certain, and you do not have to investigate—just report.

   
   

   ❗ Failure to report suspected abuse can result in:

   – Legal consequences

   – Loss of certification or license

   – Civil liability

   – Emotional consequences for the child—and for you

   
   

2. Why the Dental Office is a Critical Line of Defense

   Many children who experience abuse never see a pediatrician—but they do visit the dentist.

   Studies show that up to 65% of abuse cases involve injuries to the head, face, or mouth, making the dental setting one of the most important places for early detection.

   
   

   As a dental assistant, you may notice:

   • Unexplained bruises or burns

   • Fractured or broken teeth

   • Injuries inconsistent with explanations

   • Signs of malnutrition or neglect

   • Extreme fearfulness or withdrawal

   
   

   States like California, Texas, and Florida have detailed dental practice acts that define what Expanded Functions Dental Assistants (EFDAs) can legally do. The key is that all your actions must fall under the delegated authority of the supervising dentist—and stay far away from diagnostic decisions.

   
   

   ✅ Tip: Sometimes, it’s not just what you see—but what you feel. Your instincts matter. If something feels wrong, trust your gut and follow reporting procedures.

   
   
   
   

3. What You Should Do: Step by Step

   ✅Recognize the signs: Be alert for physical, behavioral, or emotional indicators of abuse or neglect.

   ✅Stay calm and discreet: Never confront the parent or guardian. Your role is not to accuse, but to observe and report.

   ✅ Inform the dentist immediately: Even if you are a mandated reporter, always include the supervising dentist in the situation so the office can proceed collaboratively and ethically.

   
   

4. Document what you observe (not what you assume): Record factual observations only:

   ✖ “Looks abused.”

   ✔ “Child presented with bruises on left cheek, parent stated it was from falling,

   but child appeared fearful and did not make eye contact.”

   
   
   
   

5. Make the report

   Follow your state’s procedure. Most states require a call to Child Protective Services (CPS) or filing an online report.

   Important: You cannot be punished for reporting in good faith—even if the report turns out to be unfounded.

   
   
   
   

6. What You Should NOT Do

   
   

   ✔ Don’t keep it confidential: Reporting is not a privacy violation—it's a legal and ethical duty.

   ✔ Don’t wait for the dentist to act first: If you suspect abuse, you are responsible for reporting.

   ✔ Don’t confront the family: This can endanger the child and compromise legal proceedings.

   ✔ Don’t ignore your instincts: Silence protects the abuser—not the child.

   
   
   
   

7. But What If I’m Wrong?

   You might worry: What if I report something that turns out to be nothing?

   Here’s the truth: It’s better to be wrong for caring than to stay silent and risk a child’s safety.

   Mandated reporting laws are written to protect reporters, not punish them. As long as you act in good faith based on reasonable suspicion, you are doing what’s right—and what’s required.

   
   
   
   

8. Your Power to Change a Life

   Being a dental assistant isn’t just about chairside techniques or radiographs. It’s about being present, being observant, and being courageous when it matters most.

   
   

   Your actions can:

   • Prevent ongoing abuse

   • Connect families to support services

   • Literally save a child’s life

   
   

   You may be the only adult who sees the signs and chooses to act.

   
   

9. Reflective Questions for Growth

   • Do you know your state’s mandated reporting law?

   • Are you confident in how to document suspected abuse ethically and legally?

   • How can you support a culture of safety in your dental practice?

   
   
   
   

   “It’s not your job to prove abuse—it’s your duty to report it.”

   Silence protects no one. Your voice could save a child.

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