Child abuse and neglect can have long-lasting effects on a child's physical and emotional well-being. Maternal maltreatment, in particular, can impact a child's facial development and overall health.
Early identification by pediatricians and dental professionals is the most effective way to break the cycle of maltreatment.
Facial injuries from maltreatment carry lasting physical and psychological scars. Orbital blowout fractures, dental avulsions, and damage to developing facial bones may require surgery. Psychologically, the face is central to self-image; children abused facially are at higher risk for body dysmorphia, social withdrawal, and complex PTSD, as noted in a 2022 Child Maltreatment longitudinal study.
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