Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitudes of Nigerian dentists towards child abuse. Methods: A descriptive survey was conducted among 175 dentists in Nigeria. Results: Physical abuse, neglect and emotional abuse was recognized by 61.7% ,53.1% and 33.1% of the respondents respectively as forms of child abuse. A greater proportion of females recognized emotional abuse (p<0.05). Sixty-eight percent ,60% and 15.4% of the dentists respectively, associated psychosocial, medical and orodental signs with child abuse. More than a third (39.4%), of the dentists claimed to have suspected child abuse in one or more of their young patients. Two thirds (67.4%), said they would report a suspected case however, only 6.9% of them had actually reported. The possible effects on the child, uncertainty about the diagnosis and fear of litigation were factors which 92%, 81.1% and 64.6% of the dentists respectively claimed could influence their decision to reporting child abuse. Conclusion:This study has demonstrated that there still appears to be some knowledge gaps in recognizing and reporting this problem. There is a need for further information and training at all levels of the dental profession in recognition and reporting child abuse.