The words to use
- Dental neglect
- The persistent failure to meet a child's basic oral health needs, likely to seriously impair their oral or general health or development (BSPD).
- Significant harm
- The Children Act 1989 threshold: social care must make enquiries where there is reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm.
- Was not brought
- Recording a child's missed appointment as "was not brought" rather than "did not attend", because children rely on adults to bring them.
- Safeguarding lead
- The named person in a practice who advises on concerns and knows local referral routes. Talk to them the same day, but the duty to act stays yours.
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- England's statutory guidance on how agencies work together to protect children. The 2026 edition, published 18 March 2026, replaced the 2023 version.
