find, therefore, that the reporting rate is so low, considering the lack of education for mandated reporters. Although the increased rate of reporting by dentists is one measure of success, another is the replication of the P.A.N.D.A. program in various states and international settings. As of 2015, the P.A.N.D.A. program was in 46 states and seven countries as it had been noted that dentists were five times as likely to report child abuse if they have the training offered by programs such as this (Lowery, 2015). The P.A.N.D.A. program began by concentrating on children’s issues. However, family violence affects victims of all ages. As Conclusion Rates of child abuse and neglect, intimate partner violence, and disabled persons and elder abuse remain unacceptably high in the U.S. Identifying and reporting suspected cases of family violence is not only within the purview of dental practice, but it is also required by state law in the case of child abuse, and increasingly required in the case of the abuse of disabled persons and elders. An appropriate child abuse and neglect protocol in the dental practice is the best way these problems may be prevented. Although mandatory reporting of adult victims is not universal, adult patients in the dental office can receive appropriate intervention. Dental professionals should talk about family violence at staff meetings, be aware of the warning The 2022 Florida Statutes, Title V Judicial Branch, Chapter 39, Proceedings Relating to Children, defines the parameters of child abuse and neglect; the requirements of mandatory reporting; and issues of confidentiality, liability, immunity, and penalties. Definition of Terms A child or youth is any unmarried person who is younger than age 18 who has not been emancipated by order of the court. Abuse means any willful act or threatened act that results in any physical, mental, or sexual abuse, injury, or harm that causes or is likely to cause the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired. Abuse of a child includes acts or omissions. Neglect occurs when a child is deprived of, or is allowed to be deprived of, necessary food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment or a child is permitted to live in an environment when such deprivation or environment causes the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired or to be in danger of being significantly impaired. (These circumstances are not considered neglect if caused primarily by financial inability, unless actual services for relief were offered and rejected.) Mandatory Reporting The statute (Title V, §39.201) states that any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare, or that a child is in need of supervision and care and has no parent, legal custodian, or responsible adult relative immediately known and available to provide supervision and care, shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the Florida Department of Children and Families (FDCF), which has established an abuse hotline for this purpose. Reporters in certain occupations are required to provide their names to the hotline staff. These reporters include physicians; osteopathic physicians; medical examiners; chiropractic physicians; nurses; hospital personnel engaged in the admission,
with child abuse injuries, IPV includes a high percentage of injuries that involve the head, lips, neck and facial structures (Parish Carrigan et al., 2018). In the case of elder abuse, head, neck and facial injuries account for approximately 30% of all injuries among elder abuse cases (Voelker, 2022). Therefore, P.A.N.D.A. includes information on IPV and elder abuse and neglect, as well as maltreatment of persons with special needs. The P.A.N.D.A. mission statement has been refined in many states to reflect P.A.N.D.A.’s encouragement of “appropriate intervention” for suspected victims of family violence of any age. signs of abuse and neglect, know what to consider when an injury is observed, and know when and how to make a report. When providing dental care to a patient who may be a victim, remember that everyone else in the dental office has seen the same patient and may have useful information. It may be helpful to talk privately to other staff members in the dental practice about what they see and hear. Everyone must be encouraged to fulfill their legal obligation to report suspected cases, with the understanding that anyone can make a report, whether specified as a mandated reporter or not. Breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect may not only make patients happier and healthier—it may also save a life. examination, care, and treatment of persons; and other health and mental health professionals. All dental personnel are included in the final category. Each report of known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect must be made immediately to the department’s central abuse hotline. Such reports may be made on the single statewide toll-free telephone number, or via fax or web-based report. Personnel at the department’s central abuse hotline determine whether the report received meets the statutory definition of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Reporters’ names are entered into the report record but held confidential. All records held by the department concerning reports of child abandonment, abuse, or neglect, including reports made to the central abuse hotline and all records generated as a result of such reports, are considered to be confidential, per §39.202. Immunity Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by Chapter 39, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, is immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result by reason of such action (Title V, §39.203[1][a]). Penalties A person who is required to report known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect and who knowingly and willfully fails to do so, or who knowingly and willfully prevents another person from doing so, is guilty of a felony of the third degree (Title V, §39.205[1]). VULNERABLE ADULTS The 2022 Florida Statutes, Title XXX Social Welfare, Chapter 415, Adult Protective Services, defines parameters of vulnerable adults in need of protective services; detection and correction of abuse, neglect, and exploitation; requirements of mandatory reporting; and issues of confidentiality and immunity.
APPENDIX A FLORIDA STATE STATUTES RELATED TO ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Abuse and Neglect CHILDREN
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Book Code: DFL3024
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