PEDIATRIC ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA: GUIDANCE FOR DENTAL PROFESSIONALS, UPDATED 1ST ED

Course overview

This course provides dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants with the knowledge necessary to effectively assess and implement interventions in families and children with suspected or diagnosed PAHT (previously recognized by the name Shaken Baby Syndrome). The prevalence of PAHT is reviewed in this course along with the anatomical features of infants and young children that make them susceptible to significant head injuries. Other topics discussed include perpetrator characteristics and the most common reasons that PAHT occurs. The most frequent injuries associated with PAHT and their possible long-term consequences are also discussed. The overall goal of the course is to reduce this type of child abuse by providing a basic working knowledge of PAHT to all dental professionals including dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants. By recognizing predisposing factors and identifying those at risk for perpetrating PAHT, dental professionals can be instrumental in increasing the identification, awareness, and prevention of PAHT.