This paper discusses domestic violence and offers information and practical advice for the dental team.

Vulnerable adults include those who, for reasons of age or illness, are unable to protect themselves from significant harm. The role of the GDP and the dental team in the recognition and management of abuse of vulnerable adults is discussed. Information on the current legislation and protocols for referral are provided.

Autism is a developmental disorder that can prove to be a barrier in providing orthodontic care due to a difficulty in developing language and communication. The purpose of legislation imposed in regards to mental capacity is to ensure that an individual has the right to autonomy. However, we must carefully balance an autistic patient and guardian's wishes with indications for orthodontic treatment. This article recognizes the difficulties in managing autistic patients and discusses methods to facilitate effective management. Clinical Relevance: Autistic patients may find difficulty in accessing orthodontic care owing to their inability to socialize and communicate. This article offers novel behaviour management techniques that may aid in tackling this barrier.

The GDP and dental team have an important role to play in dealing with patients who are being abused.

This article aims to alert clinicians to the presentation and management of the adenomatous odontogenic tumour (AOT). AOTs are unusual benign lesions, often associated with unerupted teeth. They commonly present in the second decade of life and may be particularly relevant to the orthodontist and general dental practitioner, as they may coincide with the age of referral for impacted teeth. The AOT can encapsulate the crown and root of the tooth, resulting in bucco-lingual expansion and can be relatively painless with few or no subjective symptoms. It is important to be aware of this lesion in the maxillofacial region to ensure correct management of this tumour and involvement of any associated teeth. CPD/Clinical Relevance: It is important for referring practitioners to be aware of the multifactorial aetiology of impacted teeth and the timeliness of referral. These anomalies require a multidisciplinary input from both the orthodontic and oral and maxillofacial team. The tumour can result in a three-dimensional thinning of the alveolar bone, resulting in an overall poor long-term prognosis of any involved teeth, particularly during orthodontic alignment.