Dentists urged to take a front-line role in tackling intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence has reached epidemic proportions in the US: one in three women and one in ten men report physical, sexual or psychological abuse by a partner. The impact of intimate partner violence extends beyond physical injury to include heightened risks of depression, suicide and pregnancy-related homicide. Despite these grave statistics, the dental industry has historically overlooked this issue in everyday practice.

The article highlights that many dental professionals feel under-prepared to manage intimate partner violence disclosures, citing barriers such as lack of training, uncertainty about legal reporting obligations and fear of offending patients. These professional challenges are compounded by the complex difficulties people who have suffered intimate partner violence often face in disclosing abuse, including feelings of shame, fear of retaliation or loss of financial security, immigration-related dependency and language barriers. Yet, because dental teams regularly examine areas where abuse-related injuries occur—the head, neck and mouth—they have a crucial opportunity to identify cases early.

The authors advocate mandatory intimate partner violence training for all members of the dental team to create trauma-informed, patient-centred practices. They propose the Ask, Validate, Document and Refer model as a simple, effective framework for intervention. Dentists are encouraged to ask sensitively about suspicious injuries, affirm the patient’s experiences without judgement, record findings accurately and provide discreet referrals to local or national support services.

The paper also outlines practical tools, including private patient safety awareness forms, discreet signage in restrooms, and trauma questionnaires for recording head and neck injuries. The authors also recommend collaboration with advocacy organisations and routine staff training—ideally refreshed every two years—to strengthen referral pathways and support patient safety.

Ultimately, the authors stress that awareness and preparedness can save lives. By integrating intimate partner violence screening and support into routine care, dental professionals can play a vital role in breaking cycles of abuse, protecting vulnerable patients and positioning dentistry as an essential part of the wider public health response to intimate partner violence.

The paper, titled “Intimate partner violence: The time is now to improve dental care providers’ awareness and implement widespread screening”, was published in the October 2025 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

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