Family Violence: An Intervention Model for Dental Professionals

• NCJ Number: 204004
• Author(s): Kristin Littel
• Date Published: December 2004
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Series: OVC Others
• Grant Number(s): 1997-VF-GX-K030
• Agencies: OVC
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)

Annotation

This bulletin presents and discusses a University of Minnesota training program designed to educate dental professionals about the signs of family violence and teach them proactive and appropriate intervention.

Abstract

Educating dental professionals about family violence increases the likelihood they will screen for abuse and intervene appropriately when necessary. In 1997, through funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), the University of Minnesota's School of Dentistry and the Program Against Sexual Violence joined forces to create a training program called Family Violence: An Intervention Model for Dental Professionals. The program is a useful training tool for increasing awareness of the complex problem of family violence and promoting a proactive response by dental professionals. This bulletin describes both the connection between dentistry and family violence intervention and the evaluative impact of the training program. The bulletin attempts to promote training for dental professionals on their role in intervening in patient cases of family violence and encourage the inclusion of dental professionals in community efforts to coordinate responses to family violence.