ROLE OF DENTAL SURGEONS IN RECOGNIZING CASES OF CHILD MALTREATMENT IN BRAZIL

Abstract

 Addressing child violence requires an interprofessional approach to health care, in which the dental surgeon occupies a strategic position, given the frequency of maltreatment-related injuries manifested in the orofacial region, an area of routine clinical practice. However, underreporting persists as a fundamental limiting factor to the protection of these individuals. In this context, the question arises: how do dental surgeons act in the recognition and reporting of child maltreatment cases in the Brazilian context? Thus, this study has the general objective of analyzing the professional's role in the early detection of signs of violence and in strengthening the protection network; it also has specific objectives of understanding the clinical manifestations that signal maltreatment, systematizing case reporting protocols, and investigating the challenges that hinder this practice in Brazil. The methodology used was an integrative literature review, with a qualitative approach, based on the analysis of articles and documents published between 2020 and 2025. The results revealed a significant gap between the profession's technical capacity and mandatory reporting, related to unfamiliarity with protocols, a lack of specific academic training, and fear of becoming involved in legal proceedings. Therefore, the conduct of the dental surgeon is needed for the development of clear care protocols, the improvement of training, and the strengthening of networked work with protection agencies.