CHILD ABUSE: HOW MUCH OURS STUDENTS OF PEDODONTICS KNOW ABOUt IT?

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the educational experiences of a group of Chilean dental students and to assess their knowledge about child abuse and neglect.
Methods: The following is a cross-sectional study. The sample was not probabilistic for convenience, in which 200 students of the course of Pedodontic of the Universidad del Desarrollo were recruited during 2014 and 150 during 2015.

For this study was designed and validated a structured based on a socio demographic dimensions, knowledge, attitudes and suspicions questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of the variables and dimensions that constitute the survey was conducted.
Results: The knowledge was acceptable to 45% of students. Lack of knowledge regarding the different types of child abuse and its clinical or behavioral manifestations as well as ignorance of the procedures established in the regulations to proceed in a case of child abuse concerned.
Conclusions: The consequences show a lack of knowledge of the signs pointing to physical and sexual abuse of children. In conclusion, dental students should be better educated and equipped for the vital role of helping protect children from abuse and neglect. This education have to involves not only de detection of child abuse but also the reports of the cases.