Which type of child maltreatment can be indicated by personal hygiene issues, dental problems, and frequent begging for food?

• A. Neglect
• B. Emotional abuse
• C. Sexual abuse
• D. Human trafficking

Answer: (A)

Neglect is shown when a caregiver doesn’t meet a child’s basic physical needs. Personal hygiene issues, dental problems, and frequent begging for food reflect ongoing, unmet care for the child’s health and well-being. When basic needs like cleanliness, dental care, and regular nutrition are repeatedly neglected, a child can look unkempt, be in poor dental health, and appear undernourished, which are classic signals of neglect. The other forms involve harm of a different kind: emotional abuse harms a child’s feelings and self-worth through harsh or frightening treatment; sexual abuse involves sexual contact or exploitation; human trafficking involves using a child for labor or commercial sexual exploitation. The signs described point to neglect because they originate from a failure to provide essential care.