ADA Sponsoring Two Webinars on Abuse and Neglect in Patients

All dental professionals are required to report suspected signs of abuse and neglect in patients, which is often referred to as “mandatory reporting”, and to be trained on the reporting requirements. To help ensure that dental professionals are properly trained, the American Dental Association (ADA) is sponsoring two free one-hour webinars for dentists on identifying and reporting abuse and neglect in patients.

• April 10^th– Recognizing and Reporting Child Maltreatment: Child Abuse, Neglect and Sex Trafficking of Minors, led by Debra Schilling Wolfe, executive director of the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice and Research at the University of Pennsylvania.

• April 24^th– Diagnostic Signs of Human Abuse, led by Dr. Lawrence A. Dobrin, chief forensic odontologist in New York City’s Office of the Chief Medical Officer.

Under California Law, all licensed healthcare providers, including dental licensees, are required to serve as mandated reporters. Mandatory reporting in California is the legal protocol whereby professionals who work with children, disabled persons, senior citizens, or other identified vulnerable populations are required by law to report to the relevant authorities suspected abuse and/or neglect that comes to their attention in the course of their duties. 

The intent of the mandatory reporting law is to protect an abused person from further abuse/neglect and to prevent others from being abused and/or neglected.This is very important for dental professionals because they are often the first line of defense for an abuse victim and can increase the victim’s chances of obtaining assistance. 

Mandated reporters can be held liable by both the civil and criminal legal systems for intentionally failing to make a report. Employers of mandated reporters are required to inform the mandated reporters of their responsibilities. As a prerequisite of employment, mandated reporters must sign a statement, provided and retained by their employers, informing them of their reporting responsibilities and confidentiality rights.

Click hereto register for the webinars.

Since 1992, OSHA Review, Inc. has provided dental professionals with comprehensive programs to support regulatory compliance and infection control. We are a registered continuing education provider in the state of California, specializing in Dental Practice Act, infection control, and OSHA training.