Dental Neglect Category — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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EasyBehavioural Sciences & EthicsDental Neglect CategoryORE Part 1

A 6-year-old child has severe untreated caries, multiple dental abscesses and repeated non-attendance for arranged treatment. The parent has received oral-hygiene and treatment advice on several occasions. Under UK safeguarding frameworks, which category of maltreatment is most consistent with this presentation?

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Correct answer: E — Neglect

**A. Neglect** is correct. Dental neglect is failure to respond to a known significant dental problem. The combination of severe untreated disease, abscesses and repeated failure to attend arranged treatment indicates persistent failure to secure essential dental care. NICE specifically identifies persistent failure to obtain treatment for a child’s dental caries, and repeated failure to attend essential follow-up, as indicators of neglect. Physical abuse requires inflicted physical harm; emotional abuse concerns persistently harmful emotional treatment; and sexual abuse concerns involvement in sexual activity. “Financial abuse” is not one of the standard child-maltreatment categories used in this context. The dentist should document concerns and follow local safeguarding procedures; a dental team does not itself diagnose maltreatment.

Reference: Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), Practice Support Manual, “Recognising signs of child abuse or neglect,” section “Neglect,” accessed 2026. https://www.psm.sdcep.org.uk/topics/ethical-practice/child-protection/recognising-signs-of-child-abuse-or-neglect/