Domestic violence routine screening in a public dental hospital

TL;DR

A dental hospital in Sydney implemented routine screening for domestic violence, significantly increasing disclosures and offering support to affected women.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that domestic violence screening in dental settings can effectively identify and support affected women.

Findings

IPV disclosure increased by 529% in the first six months after implementing DVRS.

By month 13, 11% of eligible women disclosed IPV, with 42% accepting referrals to support services.

Screening did not disrupt dental appointments, showing its feasibility in clinical practice.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health issue and leading cause of early death for women in Australia and internationally. Implementation of Domestic Violence Routine Screening (DVRS) in public health settings has been found as an effective way to identify IPV and offer support.

To evaluate DVRS implementation in adult and paediatric clinics of a public dental hospital in Sydney, Australia, from January 2023 until February 2024.

Prospective clinical study where eligible women were screened for IPV using a tool adapted from standardised screening tools for use across multiple public health services.

Demographic, medical, dental, psycho-social data and emergency department presentations were analysed from health records.

The study clinics cared for 10,197 women and 5597 carers over 13-months. In the 6-months post implementation, IPV disclosure increased by 529% (7–44 cases). By month 13, the IPV disclosure rate was 11% (n = 85). Screening did not impede the dental appointment. All women who disclosed IPV were offered referral to support and 36 women (42%) accepted.

DVRS implementation resulted in an IPV disclosure rate comparable to other public health services where DVRS is mandatory. Public dental services can play an important role in screening and supporting women who have or are experiencing IPV.

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