Safeguarding vulnerable adults: the role of the dental team

Abuse of vulnerable adults has changed little since the Health Committee of the House of Commons report that found an estimated half a million people suffer abuse equivalent to between 5 and 9% of the older population (House of Commons Health Committee, 2004). The committee also found that the great majority of abuse, some 67%, occurs in the person's home.

Dental care professionals (DCPs) are well placed to recognise those people who have injuries to their head, eyes, ears, face, mouth and teeth, and to raise concerns about the welfare of vulnerable people (General Dental Council (GDC), 2013a).

The Care Act 2014 aims to tackle vulnerable adult abuse by introducing adult safeguarding boards that will work cooperatively with health and social services, including dental practices, to identify and ameliorate vulnerable adult abuse. To fulfil their role, DCPs must be able to recognise a vulnerable adult and the forms of abuse they may suffer so they can raise concerns under local adult safeguarding board procedures (Care Act 2014: section 43).