What must dentists do if they suspect a patient has been abused?

When a dentist suspects that a patient has been abused, it is crucial for them to report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities. This step is essential for several reasons. Firstly, many states, including Minnesota, have laws that mandate healthcare professionals to report suspected abuse in order to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children and dependent adults. By reporting suspicion, dentists play a critical role in ensuring that appropriate investigations are conducted to protect the patient and provide necessary support.

Additionally, reporting allows trained professionals to intervene, assess the situation, and offer the right resources to both the suspected victim and their family. Dentists are often in a unique position to identify signs of abuse during examinations or consultations, and acting on these observations is a professional responsibility and ethical obligation.

Ignoring the signs or documenting without action does not aid the victim and may leave them in an unsafe situation. Confronting the suspected abuser may escalate the situation and is not within the dentist’s role as a healthcare professional. Proper protocol is to report and allow authorities to handle the investigation and potential intervention.