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Louisiana

Scott Benton, M.D., F.A.A.P. Director CARE Center Children's Hospital 200 Henry Clay Avenue New Orleans, LA 70118

Scott Benton has become Louisiana's expert in the medical evaluation of child maltreatment cases. His passion and commitment, combined with his knowledge and expertise, are changing the way professionals respond to child abuse in the State of Louisiana. He has gone to great lengths to understand child abuse and neglect and to share his expertise with others.

Dr. Benton trains professionals in state-of-the-art child abuse information at Prevent Child Abuse, Louisiana's Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, and other conferences. He developed a clerkship for Louisiana State University pediatric interns, residents, and child psychiatry fellows. Physicians are taught to apply medical knowledge to the evaluation of child maltreatment. The lasting effects of this program will be seen for generations as these physicians begin practicing throughout Louisiana.

Dr. Benton helped to establish and now staffs the Care Center at New Orleans Children's Hospital, which evaluates cases of child abuse and assists victims with legal help. His work at Children's Hospital over the past six years has resulted in the development of a new center that has the potential to educate the medical community and others in child maltreatment. Dr. Benton also provides expert testimony in juvenile court, which has helped Louisiana's Office of Community Services (OCS) to intervene and protect children from further harm.

Dr. Benton volunteers on Louisiana's Child Death Review Team, and he works with Child Advocacy Centers. He has played an instrumental role in getting Louisiana's PANDA (Prevention of Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness) project started. In addition, he serves on a multidisciplinary team to assist OCS in planning interventions in cases of child abuse and neglect. This Louisiana native and proud father of two is truly an advocate for all of Louisiana's children.

Updated on July 3, 2008