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-Delta Dental P.A.N.D.A. Program Teaches How to Recognize and Report Child Abuse and Neglect-

PARSIPPANY, NJ (January 15, 2003) – New Jersey is overhauling its Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) agency in an attempt to understand how three young boys in Newark could have seemingly fallen through the cracks. Tragically, their story of abuse and a system that failed them is not uncommon.

Children across the country die every day from injuries caused by child abuse. In many cases, someone was aware of the abuse, but didn't report it. Child abuse is preventable. Reporting it is the law.

Dr. Lawrence Dobrin is a spokesperson for the P.A.N.D.A. (Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness) Coalition of New Jersey. He also has a dental practice in Roselle Park, New Jersey, and is deputy chief forensic dental consultant with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City.

Dr. Dobrin is available to discuss how proper support and education can help prevent child abuse. Topics include:

• Why is now the right time to report suspected child abuse?
• How do you identify signs of child abuse?
• What happens when a report is made?
• How will the child be protected?
• What else can be done to help the family/child suspected of abuse?

To report suspected child abuse call the Office of Child Abuse Control: 800-792-8610.

To schedule a free P.A.N.D.A. program for groups of ten or more, call Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey: 973-285-4059.

P.A.N.D.A.
For nearly ten years, the Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation has offered year-round P.A.N.D.A. presentations to professionals who are in regular contact with children. P.A.N.D.A. presentations provide detailed information on physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse and neglect. They also teach how to report, whom to contact, and how to deal with the sensitive issues involved in filing a report of suspected abuse.

P.A.N.D.A. was originally created for dentists - who are well positioned to detect child abuse - because two out of every three injuries occur to the head, face, and neck areas. In recent years, the program has been expanded to include medical professionals, teachers, school nurses, youth group leaders, and other community group leaders.

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s and Connecticut's leading dental benefits carrier, providing coverage to more than one million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut. The Delta Dental Plan system is a national network of independently operated, not-for-profit dental service corporations specializing in providing dental benefits programs for employee groups throughout the country. For more information visit us on the Web at www.deltadentalnj.com.