Elder abuse and neglect: detection, reporting, and intervention

Abstract

Dental providers are in an excellent position to identify elder abuse and neglect (EAN), yet they are often reluctant to report or intervene in cases of suspected elder maltreatment. This problem is widespread, and the negative impact of this dilemma cannot be ignored. In 1999, the American Dental Association's House of Delegates, through Resolution 44H-1999, urged constituent dental societies to educate their members about abuse and neglect and individual states' legal reporting requirements. The American Society for Geriatric Dentistry (ASGD), responding to a need to inform its members about this issue, requested this literature review on elder abuse and neglect. This paper emphasizes the role of the dental profession in ameliorating EAN and offers ASGD members recommendations to aid individual practitioners and staff in educating and assisting the profession in recognizing and reporting EAN.