Keeping kids safe is an adult responsibility. Sharing information about recognizing child abuse and neglect equips adults with the knowledge and tools needed to understand the warning signs, how to report suspicious bruising, and ways to support families to prevent it from happening in the first place. Oral health professionals play a unique and important role in the prevention, recognition, and reporting of child maltreatment. 

This October, the Kosair Charities Face It Movement is once again hosting a series of Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma Prevention & Recognition Trainings (October 4-8, 2021) and bringing awareness to the critically important TEN-4 Bruising Rule. The Kentucky Oral Health Coalition encourages all health professionals to participate in TEN-4 Week activities and help spread the word in your community. 

  1. Recognize TEN-4 Awareness Day 2021. Tune in on Monday, October 4th for a TEN-4 Awareness Day kick-off event and proclamation signing with Governor Andy Beshear and other elected officials at the Kentucky State Capitol. More details to come.
  2. Register for a specialized training for dentists and dental hygienists. This October, the Kosair Charities Face It Movement and Delta Dental are hosting a Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma Prevention & Recognition Virtual Training Friday, October 8 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET. Details and registration are HERE.  In addition to the training, participants will learn about the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition and discuss immediate action steps to ensure Kentucky children are safe from maltreatment.
  3. Learn more about the TEN-4 Bruising Rule.  It is a reminder that for children 4 years of age or younger, bruising on the torso, ears, or neck. or any bruising anywhere on a baby that is not yet pulling up or taking steps, is cause for concern and needs to be reported.
  4. Utilize the TEN-4 Toolkit to promote the virtual training events, secure a local proclamation in recognition of TEN-4 Awareness Day, or submit an op-ed to your local newspaper.
  5. Support families with the Health Professionals Toolkit.  A health professional may be the only adult interaction an isolated family has, which is why it is so important to ask questions, provide key information that can reduce stress, and observe kids and their caregivers for signs of abuse and neglect. 

Remember, every Kentucky adult is a mandated reporter. That means that we ALL have a responsibility to keep our kids safe from child abuse and neglect!

Image Provided by Alvin Mahmudov – Unsplash