PANDA is an acronym for Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness. It’s the name of an educational program that’s being sponsored by Delta Dental of New Jersey through its philanthropic arm, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, Inc. It’s supported by a coalition of public and private organizations and is aimed at helping dental office personnel recognize and report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. The PANDA name was conceived by Delta Dental of Missouri, which began a similar program in 1992. PANDA programs are available in many states.

Reported cases of child abuse and neglect are rising at an alarming rate all over the country. Dentists, along with other health care professionals, are mandated by state law to report suspected cases of abuse and neglect. Nationally, about 65 percent of child abuse injuries involve the head, neck or mouth areas. So dental personnel may be in a good position to note abuse of their patients.

In the past, more than 50,000 reports of child abuse and neglect were made in New Jersey alone. However, of that number, only a small percentage came from dentists. The extremely low reporting rate by dentists seems to be related to the lack of training dentists receive in how to recognize and report abuse and neglect and concerns about the ramifications of becoming legally involved in such cases. Studies have indicated that dentists are nearly five times as likely to report suspected abuse if they receive education in this area. The PANDA program addresses these issues so that dental personnel will have the information they need in suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.

The PANDA program consists of a slide presentation and printed materials. Representatives from the PANDA Coalition have formed a speaker’s bureau to take the program to their respective audiences. And, a PANDA presentation qualifies for continuing education credits.

The PANDA Coalition has members who are willing to present the program free of charge to dental or other interested groups with 10 or more members. For more information or to schedule a presentation in New Jersey please e-mail Delta Dental or call us at 973-944-4555. In Connecticut call the Connecticut State Dental Association at 203-278-5550.

Child abuse is any mistreatment or neglect of a child that results in harm or injury. Child abuse can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Certain injuries and conditions, such as bruises and welts, burns, lacerations and abrasions, skeletal injuries, injuries caused by twisting or pulling, head injuries, or internal injuries are often seen in cases of abuse and neglect. These warning signals or indicators should by considered in light of explanations provided, medical history, and the developmental abilities of the child to engage in activities that might have caused the injury.

In addition to physical injuries, abused children also display certain types of behavior. Children exhibit many of these behaviors at one time or another, but when they are present in sufficient number and strength to characterize a child’s overall manner, they may indicate abuse. These behavioral characteristics include:

• Overly compliant, passive, and undemanding behaviors which are aimed at avoiding any possible confrontation with the abuser.
• Extremely aggressive, demanding, and rageful behaviors (sometimes hyperactive) caused by frustration or a desire to get attention by whatever means necessary.
• Role-reversed "parental" behavior or extremely dependent behavior when abusive parents turn to their children to satisfy their own needs or try to keep their children dependent long after a child in a healthy family would be more self-reliant.
• Lags in development of motor skill, toilet training, socialization, or language which may be caused by the children having to siphon energy, normally channeled toward growth, into protecting themselves.