DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INITIATIVE FOR DENTISTS

Domestic violence can affect anyone, although women are most often the victims men can be too. It affects all groups regardless of race, religion, class or sexual orientation. Did you know that on average a woman will experience 35 incidents of domestic violence before she will report it? The more health professionals  are willing to raise the issue, the more likely it is that a victim will get help. You might not be able to provide that help yourself but you can provide information on where to get it.

Most victims of domestic violence are hit around the head and neck region so dentists are in a very good position to spot the signs of domestic abuse and to signpost victims towards appropriate help. This initiative is very simple-all you have to do is ask the question and provide information. It is based on a tried and tested American programme AVDR. There is good evidence that it works.

Read some background information on MAV's domestic violence initiative here

Download a copy of the MAV Dentists and Domestic Violence Initiative Practice Note

This programme is based on an American programme called AVDR designed by a group from the University of California San Francisco and adapted for Scotland with their permission-you can read the full paper here

MAV can provide free training in this programme to dental professionals so that you can pass on this training to those that you work with. More resources will be available here soon. Contact us for more information admin@medicsagainstviolence.co.uk or Christine.Goodall@glasgow.ac.uk