Traumatic oral injuries are frequently encountered in dental practice and may result from both accidental causes and intentional harm, including child abuse, intimate partner violence, and elder neglect. Dentists, due to their clinical expertise and regular patient contact, are often among the first healthcare providers to identify signs of non-accidental trauma. This narrative review explores the dentist’s role in the detection, documentation, and medico-legal management of such injuries, particularly in the context of suspected abuse or neglect. A narrative review of relevant literature, clinical guidelines, and forensic protocols was conducted. Sources were selected based on their relevance to dental diagnosis, trauma recognition, medico-legal obligations, and interdisciplinary collaboration in suspected abuse cases. Certain injury patterns – such as contusions, lacerations, avulsions, and frenulum tears – especially in protected anatomical areas or with incongruent patient histories, may suggest inflicted trauma. Comprehensive clinical and photographic documentation is essential for legal and protective proceedings. Dentists must be familiar with mandatory reporting laws and recognize their legal responsibilities. Forensic odontologists contribute valuable expertise by providing objective injury analysis and supporting legal investigations. Multidisciplinary collaboration with pediatricians, general physicians, legal authorities, and social workers enhances case management and victim protection. Dentists have a dual responsibility: providing care and safeguarding vulnerable individuals. Strengthening dental education in forensic odontology, trauma-informed care, and medico-legal procedures is essential to prepare practitioners for this role. Increasing awareness and interprofessional communication can significantly improve outcomes in cases of traumatic oral injuries linked to abuse or neglect.
The dentist's role in documenting and managing traumatic oral injuries: a narrative review of medico-legal implications
LACASELLA, Giorgia V.;BALLINI, Andrea;KARABOUE, Michele A.
2025
Abstract
Traumatic oral injuries are frequently encountered in dental practice and may result from both accidental causes and intentional harm, including child abuse, intimate partner violence, and elder neglect. Dentists, due to their clinical expertise and regular patient contact, are often among the first healthcare providers to identify signs of non-accidental trauma. This narrative review explores the dentist’s role in the detection, documentation, and medico-legal management of such injuries, particularly in the context of suspected abuse or neglect. A narrative review of relevant literature, clinical guidelines, and forensic protocols was conducted. Sources were selected based on their relevance to dental diagnosis, trauma recognition, medico-legal obligations, and interdisciplinary collaboration in suspected abuse cases. Certain injury patterns – such as contusions, lacerations, avulsions, and frenulum tears – especially in protected anatomical areas or with incongruent patient histories, may suggest inflicted trauma. Comprehensive clinical and photographic documentation is essential for legal and protective proceedings. Dentists must be familiar with mandatory reporting laws and recognize their legal responsibilities. Forensic odontologists contribute valuable expertise by providing objective injury analysis and supporting legal investigations. Multidisciplinary collaboration with pediatricians, general physicians, legal authorities, and social workers enhances case management and victim protection. Dentists have a dual responsibility: providing care and safeguarding vulnerable individuals. Strengthening dental education in forensic odontology, trauma-informed care, and medico-legal procedures is essential to prepare practitioners for this role. Increasing awareness and interprofessional communication can significantly improve outcomes in cases of traumatic oral injuries linked to abuse or neglect.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
