North Queensland Women’s Legal Service, James Cook University and Be Conscious, launch legal guide for dental professionals.
Domestic Violence & dental professionals: a legal guide
Responding to domestic & sexual violence in dental practice
A practical guide for dental professionals
Dental professionals are uniquely positioned to identify and respond to domestic and sexual violence.
While injuries to the head, face, mouth and neck are common in victim-survivors, abuse is not always physical. Patients experiencing domestic and sexual violence may also present with signs of coercive control, intimidation, emotional abuse, financial abuse, social isolation, or controlling behaviours that affect their ability to make decisions about their health and wellbeing.
Yet many practitioners report feeling uncertain about how to recognise these signs or what to do next.
This practical guide has been developed to help dental professionals recognise both physical and non-physical forms of domestic and sexual violence, respond safely and ethically, understand their legal obligations, and connect patients with appropriate support.
Developed through a unique collaboration between experts in dentistry, social work and law, this resource combines evidence-based practice, trauma-informed care, and practical legal guidance for real-world clinical settings.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Decision pathway infographic
A quick-reference visual guide to help dental professionals identify concerns, assess next steps, and respond safely and appropriately.
Quick decision guide
A concise, practical resource designed for busy clinicians, covering:
Recognising indicators of abuse
Responding to disclosures
Documentation considerations
Referral pathways
Trauma-informed communication
Comprehensive legal guide
A detailed resource exploring:
Privacy and confidentiality obligations
Information-sharing frameworks
Mandatory reporting requirements
Documentation best practice
Coercive control legislation
Risk assessment and safety considerations
Working with specialist domestic violence services
Together, these three resources provide both immediate clinical guidance and deeper professional understanding.
WHY THIS RESOURCE MATTERS
Domestic and sexual violence affects people from every background, profession and community.
While physical injuries to the head, face, mouth and neck are common in victim-survivors, abuse is not always visible. Many people experiencing domestic and sexual violence may present with signs of coercive control, emotional abuse, psychological distress, social isolation, financial abuse, fearfulness, anxiety, missed appointments, or a partner who insists on speaking on their behalf.
Dental practitioners may be among the first professionals to identify both physical and non-physical indicators of abuse, placing them in a unique position to respond safely and supportively.
This guide aims to build confidence, increase safety, and support better outcomes for victim-survivors.
Dr Felicity Croker, Dr Alex Dancyger, Ashleigh Lawrence, Dr Ann Carrington and Simone Dewar.
DEVELOPED BY EXPERTS
This guide was developed through a multidisciplinary partnership bringing together expertise from:
Dentistry
Domestic and family violence practice
Social work
Law
Trauma-informed care
The result is a resource that is clinically relevant, legally accurate, and grounded in the realities faced by victim-survivors.
Your purchase makes a difference
All profits from the sale of this guide directly support the work of North Queensland Women's Legal Service.
Every purchase helps us provide free legal advice, advocacy, education and support to women experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.
Purchase the guide
Equip yourself and your team with practical tools to recognise, respond to and support patients experiencing domestic and sexual violence.