Legal Responsibilities

Each state generally has specific mandatory maltreatment reporting laws for children and for elders (sometimes categorized as vulnerable adults). General domestic violence reporting laws, including IPV, however, are different. These laws are not adopted in all states and when applicable, “are not limited to a specific age group, but pertain to all individuals to whom specific health care professionals provide treatment or medical care.”¹⁷ Depending on the state, a dental professional may have the legal responsibility to report suspected IPV no matter who the victim is.

To learn how to report suspected IPV, contact your state’s Department of Human Services or your city or county’s Adult Protection Services.¹⁸