Utilizing the Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory in a cohort of children with early childhood caries

Purpose: Dental professionals who regularly interact with child patients are well positioned to identify those at risk of child maltreatment. However, uncertainty surrounding the accuracy of their own observations adds complexity to decision making. The aim of this study was to assess the use of the Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory (BCAP) in a dental setting among a high-caries child population in Finland. Methods: Sixty-three parents of children under 5 years of age, who underwent dental treatment under general anaesthesia, completed the BCAP questionnaire as a screening instrument for child abuse risk. Results: The mean score for abuse risk was 2.84 (SD = 3.37). Notably, 21% of the respondents scored above five, indicating an elevated risk of abuse. Conclusion: The BCAP exhibits favourable psychometric properties for this population, with the mean abuse score notably higher than that of the general Finnish population. Including this inventory in the dental setting could be helpful for dental professionals, in identifying children at risk of abuse and families who may require additional support.