You are consulting with a patient that has a tooth knocked out from a fall. Her male companion answers questions for her, and she barely makes eye contact. How do you get the patient to answer independently?

"I would separate the potential abuse victim from the abuser, though I understand that it may be difficult in a dental office. I would first ask him to leave the room and go to the waiting room. If he balked, I would ask a hygienist to take her to another room for x-rays alone. I would be careful not to prejudge the situation, but I would do what I needed to do to assess the potential abuse victim thoroughly. I would seek guidance from a faculty member in this situation, and I wouldn't hesitate to escalate the situation if needed."

Sometimes a domestic abuse victim's only connection to help might be a trip to see their physician or dentist. All patients should be screened for abuse, whether man, woman, or child. As the potential physician in charge, you need to know the warning signs, learn how to assess a situation, and ask effective questions. As you answer this question, reiterate the need for separating the couple during your examination so you can ask the right questions and allow her to speak openly. From there, talk about any reporting protocols that you are familiar with.