Samverkan mellan socialtjänsten och tandvården i arbetet med våldsutsatta barn

Abstract

Many children go to the same dentist throughout their childhood. Therefore, dental care is well-positioned to detect and prevent child abuse. However, previous research has shown that this potential is rarely utilized and that many dentists feel uncertain about how to handle the issue. This article therefor investigates the conditions for collaboration between dental care and social services in the context of identifying and preventing child abuse. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with dental care professionals and social workers, the study aims to identify both the obstacles to effective collaboration and opportunities for enhancement. As it turns out, there are deficiencies in the conditions for cooperation at both social services and dental care. There are most likely leading to a significant number of children suffering harm. Recently, the issue has received more attention, and cooperation is improving, but much remains to be done.