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Issues & People Supporting Your Practice

The Role of The Dentist and The Dental Team in Identifying Family Violence

On April 19, 2018, the Canadian Dental Association held its Canadian Oral Health Round table; and the theme of this year’s meeting was dentistry and family violence. A panel of various experts presented on the role of the dentist and the dental team in identifying the signs of family violence particularly when these signs present in the head and neck area of the body. 

Family violence affects us all. It has negative social, financial and health impacts on those directly involved, as well as on their friends and family, colleagues, community and society at large. It is paramount that all participate in an attempt to identify the signs and help alleviate, even at a minimum level, the harm that victims undergo. My guest, Dr. Nadine Wathen, is the VEGA Project co-lead and she spoke with me about how VEGA is paving the way for professionals to help identify the signs of family violence.

The post contains valuable information on how professionals can help, along with links to the VEGA Project and PreVAiL Research Network and we hope you take some time to peruse it and share it with your colleagues. More resources, including the VEGA Online Practice Handbook, are scheduled for publication a little later in 2018, and we at CDA Oasis will make sure these resources reach you.

We always seek and welcome your feedback, questions, and suggestions at oasisdiscussions@cda-adc.ca

Until next Time!

Chiraz Guessaier, CDA Oasis Manager

Highlights

With experts from the Preventing Violence across the Lifespan (PreVAiL) Research Network, and guided by a National Guidance and Implementation Committee of stakeholders from key Canadian organizations, the VEGA Project, funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, has developed pan-Canadian public health guidance, protocols, curricula and tools for health and social service providers.

The guidance will fill a crucial gap – the lack of evidence-based and consistent knowledge, education and training available to health and social service professionals with respect to the health impacts of violence, and how best to respond to adults and children exposed to family violence across the lifespan.

A National Guidance and Implementation Committee with representatives from 22 key Canadian health and social service professional organizations provides overall guidance and assists with specific testing of the curricula and development of metrics and dissemination strategies.

The VEGA Project team will release, in 2018, the VEGA Practice Handbook for professionals as well as, in 2019, curriculum modules and interactive game-based learning approaches for health and social service professionals.

VEGA Project Co-Leads: Dr. Harriet MacMillan, McMaster University & Dr. Nadine Wathen, Western University

More information

Oasis Moment – Take Away Messages (0.50″)

 

Full Conversation (11.48″)

 

 

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