skip to main content

Domestic Violence Disclosure — ORE Part 1 MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardBehavioural Sciences & EthicsDomestic Violence DisclosureORE Part 1

A competent adult patient attends alone for routine dental treatment and discloses ongoing domestic abuse by their partner. They say that two children live in the household and may also be at risk. Which is the most appropriate response by the dental professional?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Respond sensitively, record the disclosure, explain confidentiality limits, offer support information and follow local safeguarding procedures

**A is correct.** A domestic-abuse disclosure must be handled sensitively and in private. The dental professional should make a contemporaneous factual record, explain that confidentiality may be overridden where safeguarding concerns arise, offer safe support/signposting, and follow the practice’s local safeguarding pathway. The report that children may be at risk is a key trigger for safeguarding action rather than leaving the matter entirely to the adult patient’s choice. **B** wrongly omits documentation and safeguarding action. **C** inappropriately transfers responsibility to the patient and limits records to injuries; records should include the disclosure and relevant concerns. **D** risks escalating danger and breaches confidentiality. **E** is inconsistent with the dental team’s responsibility for patient welfare, which extends beyond dental treatment.

Reference: British Dental Association, “How dentists can identify domestic abuse”, section “How to respond to domestic violence disclosures”, current page, https://www.bda.org/news-and-opinion/blog/how-dentists-can-identify-domestic-abuse/