Empathetic Dentistry: Noble Opportunity to Restore Broken Hearts of Malaysian Homes

ABSTRACT

@#Dentistry is not only about restoring teeth and beauty and there is more to it. One such unexplored dimension is the empathetic side of intimate partner violence victims attending dental hospitals. In Malaysian context, recent figures are staggering and 40% were victims; especially women. One must agree that family physician is the first person that victims contact and serving their best. Unfortunately, violence against women is almost universally under-reported to authorities. Thereby the prevalence of intimate partner violence is more than what is being projected in statistics. In such circumstances, it would be reasonable to investigate if dentists have anything to contribute in this regard. The honest truth that should urge dentists to screen intimate partner violence victims are the one being oro-facial injuries and other their close association with intra-oral anatomy. Given these facts, more opportunities exist to restore broken hearts of Malaysian homes.