Describing the innovation and development of Educational Storytelling; an innovative, novel interdisciplinary training program against child maltreatment

Child maltreatment is a global problem with far-reaching negative effects on children's psychological and physical well-being, highlighting the importance of prevention, detection and intervention. Professionals working with children in health, social, or educational services in Norway are required by law to report suspected child maltreatment to child welfare services. However, reporting can be challenging, and under-reporting is a serious and well-documented issue, calling for effective training programs. This paper focuses on the research-based and interdisciplinary Educational Storytelling program for dental health personnel, a 7.5 hour face-to-face seminar using a full-length documentary. The program aims to empower dental health personnel in their interaction with at-risk children by enhancing their awareness, knowledge and competence related to prevention, detection, follow-up and care, fostering a deep understanding of the effects of trauma from child maltreatment, making dental health personnel safer when handling trauma-related cases, ensuring positive patient experiences and effectively reduce odontophobia, and helping dental health personnel fulfill their legal obligation to report any suspected child maltreatment. This paper aims to describe how the program used a documentary as the foundation for developing the program, and further explains the multidimensional content, the innovative process, and the implementation of this training program for dental health personnel in Norway. In conclusion, the paper explores potential strategies to empower dental health personnel in preventing child maltreatment and highlights the impact of using real stories and active learning to drive knowledge and behavior change. • Underreporting of child maltreatment is a severe and well documented issue. • There is a need for effective training programs, that meet reporting barriers. • The research-based EST program promotes knowledge, awareness, readiness, and action. • The EST program incorporates a documentary about a young child sexual abuse survivor. • The program combines personal narratives, research, expert interviews, art and group work.