Dentistry is emerging as a vital, yet often overlooked, frontline in the UK’s response to domestic abuse. Many assaults cause injuries to the face, head and neck, precisely the regions dental practitioners examine during routine care. That makes dental teams uniquely capable of spotting signs of harm sunken in plain sight.
While domestic abuse has long been considered the territory of GPs, social services or law enforcement, dentists often see patients in private, with few distractions and time to observe non-verbal cues, an opportunity rarely replicated elsewhere in the NHS workforce.
That’s why, over the past four years, IRISi has been building capacity in this space. We’ve partnered with Bristol Dental School to deliver training across South West England, reaching student and foundation dentists. We’ve also taken the stage at national gatherings, including the NHS England Dentistry and Safeguarding Conference, to elevate the conversation.
Our free, introductory webinar drew over 300 dental professionals from the UK and abroad, uniting an international peer group around practical strategies: how to sensitively ask about abuse, document signs, and connect patients with support. In 2025, we launched two CPD-verifiable online training sessions tailored to dentistry teams, covering coercive control, non-fatal strangulation, harmful practices, safe enquiry techniques and safeguarding documentation.
The recently held webinar was met with highly positive feedback:
- “Really useful webinar and introduction for recognising signs of domestic abuse and sexual violence,” noted a dental therapist.
- “Great session, very informative, looking forward to attending the next session,” remarked one dentist.
- A dental nurse tutor shared, “This session was really good. I enjoyed the stories that linked dental professionals to domestic violence.”
Why evidence underpins our approach
While detailed UK meta-analyses of orofacial injury in domestic abuse remain in progress, general clinical evidence and guidance confirm that assaults affecting the face and head are common in this context. National frameworks such as NICE QS116 and Public Health England’s safeguarding toolkit for general dental practice affirm that dental professionals should be equipped to ask, record and refer when concerns arise.
Feasibility work adapting the IRIS model for dental settings (DRiDVA) indicates that targeted training, combined with a clear referral pathway, improve dental team confidence in handling domestic abuse.
We know many survivors will interact with health services – some more than once – and for many, their dentist may represent their only safe point of contact. That reality makes dental safeguarding not just an option, but a responsibility.
Our vision at IRISi is clear: embed awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence into the fabric of dental practice, making it as habitual as checking for infection. With the right training, policies and referral options, dental professionals can truly see beyond the toothache to the signs of hidden harm – and help change lives for the better.
Find out more
Contact us to book your team’s session: info@irisi.org.
