Admitted

You notice signs that a patient may be a victim of abuse. What's your responsibility?

Awareness that dentists are mandated reporters and often the first professionals to see facial and oral trauma.

How to structure your answer

  1. 1Recognize it as a duty, not a choice
  2. 2Document objectively
  3. 3Talk to the patient privately and without leading
  4. 4Follow mandated reporting law
  5. 5Keep them safe in the room

A strong answer

What lands
I'd take the concern seriously and follow the reporting requirements that apply to my role and location. I'd document what I observed objectively, avoid leading questions, and involve the appropriate supervisor or safeguarding resource without delaying a required report. I wouldn't promise confidentiality I couldn't keep. My priority would be the patient's immediate safety and getting the concern to people trained to respond.

Duty first, objective notes, no leading questions, and no promise she can't keep.

A weak answer

What most people say
I'd be very gentle about it. I'd let them know they can talk to me, that whatever they say stays between us, and I'd ask directly whether someone is hurting them. The most important thing is that they feel safe and not judged. If they told me something, I'd help them think through what to do next and make sure they weren't alone in it.

Promises confidentiality she can't keep, and may ask with the abuser present.

The trap

⚠Confronting the patient with your suspicion in front of whoever brought them in, or promising confidentiality you can't legally keep. Both can make things materially more dangerous for that person.

Reading it isn't the same as saying it.

Most people can explain a good answer and still fall apart saying one out loud. Admitted asks you all 100 questions in a faculty voice, records you, and scores your pace and filler words.

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