Family Violence: Implications for Dental Patients and Practice in Connecticut

Course Overview
Family violence includes child abuse and neglect as well as intimate partner violence (also referred to as domestic violence or spousal abuse). Family violence may also include abuse and neglect of disabled persons (persons with significant physical disabilities or mental or functional impairments), vulnerable adults, and the elderly. All members of the dental team should be knowledgeable about the physical and behavioral signs and symptoms of family violence. They should also know how to assess whether symptoms are indicators of trauma as opposed to normal conditions or accidental injuries. Just as important is the knowledge of how to provide appropriate intervention for victims of any age. In addition, members of the dental team advocate for developing or modifying clinical protocols to include identification and intervention for cases of suspected abuse and neglect. By applying the knowledge of symptomatology obtained in this basic-level course and providing appropriate intervention, every member of the dental team can help stem the epidemic of family violence.   

Learning Outcomes 
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:

• Discuss the demographics, contributing factors, and reporting protocols of child abuse and neglect.
• Discuss the demographics, contributing factors, and reporting protocols of intimate partner violence.
• Discuss the demographics, contributing factors, and reporting protocols of abuse of people with disabilities.
• Discuss the demographics, contributing factors, and reporting protocols of elder abuse and neglect.
• Differentiate the physical signs of family violence from accidental injuries or other physical conditions.
• Describe education and prevention efforts to combat family violence.
• Explain Connecticut state laws and regulations governing the roles and responsibilities of dental professionals on issues of child abuse and maltreatment.

About the Author/Presenter 
Mark J. Szarejko, DDS, FAGD, received his dental degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1985 and Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1994. He has been in private practice for 16 years, with the balance involved in correctional (county jail) dentistry. He retired in 2023. In 2007, he received the Certified Correctional HealthCare Professional (CCHP) designation from the National Commission of Correctional Healthcare. He has authored and edited many dental continuing education courses and has given presentations on varied topics to local, regional, and national audiences. He has been an examiner for the dental and dental hygiene licensure exams for the Northeastern Regional Boards (NERBS), now the American Board of Dental Examiners, since 1994. He has also reviewed standard of care cases for the state of Florida and for private companies. 

Audience/Accreditations and Approvals 
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE 
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details): 
Dental AGD Code: 156

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