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Looked after children: an overview for the dental team

British Dental Journal volume 234, pages 34–38 (2023)Cite this article

Abstract

Looked after children (LAC) are children and young people (CYP) who have been under the continuous care of the local authority for more than 24 hours. Reasons for becoming looked after include concerns about abuse or neglect, breakdown in family functioning, or absence of a suitable caregiver (for example bereavement, parental illness, or separation, such as for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children). Many LAC live with foster families, extended family, or in residential care homes, but a CYP can be legally 'looked after' and still be living with their original or birth family, or living independently with support. Regardless of the circumstances, the local authority has responsibility for meeting the needs of the CYP, including dental care, usually via a named social worker.

The evidence available suggests that LAC are at higher risk of dental caries and pain. In 2021, Public Health England reported on inequalities in oral health in England and although evidence was limited, found LAC to have poorer oral health and access to care. It is important that LAC are considered for enhanced prevention and reviewed regularly to enable appropriate provision of dental care. Understanding who can consent for dental treatment is essential.

Key points

  • Looked after children (LAC) are commonly seen by the dental team - this paper provides a detailed understanding of who LAC are.

  • Circumstances where children have involvement with social care but are not LAC, including children on a child in need plan and children on a child protection plan, are also discussed.

  • The paper addresses specific issues of consent for LAC and includes a flowchart as a working tool to determine who has consent in a variety of circumstances.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paediatric Dentistry, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Dental Institute, Leeds, UK

    Lucy Ridsdale & Richard Balmer

  2. Paediatric Dentistry, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham Dental Hospital, Birmingham, UK

    Laura Johnston

  3. Community Paediatrics, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham Children´s Hospital, Nottingham, UK

    Nadya James

Authors
  1. Lucy Ridsdale
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  2. Laura Johnston
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  3. Nadya James
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  4. Richard Balmer
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Contributions

Lucy Ridsdale and Richard Balmer had the original idea for the article. Lucy Ridsdale, Laura Johnston, Nadya James and Richard Balmer were all involved in writing the original draft and reviewing and editing. Nadya James produced the original document on which Figure 3 is based.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lucy Ridsdale.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Cite this article

Ridsdale, L., Johnston, L., James, N. et al. Looked after children: an overview for the dental team. Br Dent J 234, 34–38 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-5359-3

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