Child protection: training and experiences of dental therapists.

Objective To identify the training in, experience of and barriers to reporting child abuse among dental therapists in the UK.Design Postal survey.Subjects and methods A postal questionnaire was sent to all practising dental therapists (DTs) in the UK registered with the GDC (n= 851) in October-December 2007.Results A response rate of 49% (n= 420) was achieved; 24 (5.7%) questionnaires were incomplete and excluded. One hundred and ninety-three respondents (48.7%) had qualified in the last 10 years. One hundred and forty-seven (37.1%) recalled undergraduate training; 248 (62.6%) had received training since qualifying; 66 (16.6%) recalled no child protection training. Overall child abuse had been suspected by 135 (34%) DTs, while 72 (18%) had suspected but not referred the case.Conclusions The majority of dental therapists (83%, n= 330) have received training in child protection. Overall, 34% (n = 135) have suspected child abuse and 83% (n = 112) of these DTs recorded their suspicions in the patient record. In line with current guidance, most DTs would discuss a case with another dentist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]