Revista Brasileira de Odontologia Legal

EDITORIAL

Ricardo Henrique Alves da Silva — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0300

#PLAY em 2025!

Seja bem-vindo, caríssimo leitor, ao primeiro número da RBOL no ano de 2025. E certamente vamos para um ano de muita ciência e conhecimento nas páginas da Revista Brasileira de Odontologia Legal.

Esse número está muito especial com seis artigos originais, contemplando temas como: antropologia forense, responsabilidade profissional, ações judiciais, identificação humana, documentação odontológica e história da Odontologia Legal.

MEDIDAS DE CRÂNIOS, MANDÍBULAS E ATLAS PARA ESTUDO DA ESTIMATIVA DE SEXO E AFINIDADE POPULACIONAL EM UMA POPULAÇÃO DO SUDESTE BRASILEIRO

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0300

A verificação do dimorfismo sexual e afinidade populacional é uma das preocupações na antropologia forense, sendo que estudos de novos métodos são importantes para aumentar a segurança na identificação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o dimorfismo sexual e a afinidade populacional (estimativa do perfil biológico), por meio de medidas de crânios, mandíbulas e atlas de esqueletos de um Biobanco Osteológico e Tomográfico. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, analítico e transversal, realizado em medidas lineares obtidas com paquímetro digital, avaliando 259 crânios, mandíbulas e atlas sendo 146 do sexo masculino e 113 do sexo feminino, 152 indivíduos tinham afinidade populacional europeia e 107 tinham afinidade populacional não europeia (população indígena e africana). A regressão logística pelo método Stepwise-Forward foi obtida para sexo e afinidade populacional e todas as medidas mostraram-se dimórficas. Estabeleceu-se o modelo matemático: Logito = [−23,7 + (0,18 × medida anteroposterior da vértebra) - (0,08 × diâmetro transversal do canal raquidiano) + (0,25 × diâmetro transversal máximo], resultando em sensibilidade de 84,9%, especificidade de 69% e acurácia de 78,5%, mostrando-se portanto, eficaz na predição do sexo e também para a afinidade populacional com o Logito = [−2.678 + 0,80 × medida entre ponto zigomático esquerdo e direito + (−0,178 × diâmetro transversal do canal raquidiano) o qual alcançou o seguinte resultado: sensibilidade de 83,5%, especificidade de 32% e acurácia de 62,9%. Foi possível concluir que as medidas de crânios, mandíbulas e atlas estudadas mostram-se eficazes como métodos auxiliares na identificação humana e foi possível construir modelos de regressão logística para estimar sexo e afinidade populacional.

ANÁLISE DO CONHECIMENTO DE PROFESSORES SOBRE SUA RESPONSABILIDADE EM RELAÇÃO AOS TRABALHOS PRÁTICOS EXECUTADOS PELOS ESTUDANTES NAS CLÍNICAS DE UM CURSO DE GRADUAÇÃO EM ODONTOLOGIA

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0300

Dental education requires students to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, the latter conducted under the direct supervision of faculty members responsible for clinical procedures performed in university dental clinics. Such supervision involves legal responsibilities in civil, criminal, and administrative spheres, making it essential that educators understand their legal obligations to avoid potential liabilities. This study aimed to analyze the knowledge of faculty members at the dental clinics of the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) regarding their professional responsibilities in supervised procedures. This is a descriptive, exploratory, and cross-sectional study with a quali-quantitative approach. A total of 22 faculty members participated, responding to a structured questionnaire after signing the informed consent form (CAAE nº 74946923.5.0000.5208). Results showed that 60% of participants correctly defined the legal spheres, but only 36.4% were able to identify the competent authorities responsible for judging clinical incidents. Furthermore, only 3 out of the 13 professors who correctly defined the spheres demonstrated full knowledge regarding the appropriate institutions. The participants' profile revealed a mean age of 51.3 years and an average time since graduation of 29.3 years, with all holding doctoral degrees. Despite their high academic qualifications, the findings indicate significant gaps in legal understanding related to supervised dental practice. It is concluded that the legal knowledge of supervising faculty is insufficient, which may expose both professionals and institutions to legal risks. Therefore, higher education institutions must promote training on legal aspects of dentistry to ensure greater legal security in clinical teaching practice.

COULD THE FEAR OF LEGAL ACTION BE A STRESS FACTOR IN DENTISTRY?

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0300

Dentists experience significant occupational stress caused by various factors in their professional lives,
with a high prevalence; however, the perceived stress level and the consideration of legal actions by a
patient as a stress factor are poorly explored. This study investigated the opinions of international dental
practitioners on career-related stress factors and their perceived stress levels using an anonymous JISC
online survey V3, showing eight questions. The data was compared across perceived stress level
categories for each questionnaire’s question using chi-square analysis. Time pressure, workload, and
patient expectations were key stressors found, each reported by 35.4% of respondents (out of 99). Almost
half of the dentists considered that patient suing a realistic stress factor in their career, and 1/4 have
considered it a possibility. Further analysis revealed that dental practitioners who suffer policy or regulation
pressure at work or consider the possibility of a patient suing them have 3.6 and 3 times more chances of
high stress levels, respectively. Only 7% of dentists reported no stress in their professional careers, with a
higher stress level proportion seen amongst those working in Academia. Work performance is realistically
impacted by stress according to 30% of respondents, and is a possibility for 37%. Dental practitioners must
deal with multiple stressors in their work, including but not limited to time pressure, workload, and patients'
expectations. The possibility of legal action is a realistic stress factor, and the impact of stress on work
performance is acknowledged in this study.

Analysis of the quality of dental record completion in a teaching-clinic

Daniel Martins de Melo, Alexsandro Gleisson Almeida Silva, Luana Leal Roberto — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0300

Introduction: The dental anamnesis form is an essential tool for diagnosing and treating oral conditions, enabling the accurate collection of data reported by the patient. Objectives: To evaluate the quality of dental records completed by students in a teaching clinic. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study that analyzed records completed between 2018 and 2023 at the teaching clinic of the Faculty of Science and Technology of Janaúba (FACITEC), in Janaúba, Brazil. Records were selected through systematic probabilistic sampling. Two independent and previously trained examiners assessed the records dichotomously (adequate/inadequate). Simple frequencies (n) and percentages (%) were calculated through descriptive analysis, complemented by photographic records for qualitative analysis. Results: Approximately 46.7% of the records showed 6 to 10 items inadequately completed. A high prevalence of incomplete consent forms (58.9%) and the absence of comprehensive treatment plans (80%) was observed. Additionally, records filled out in pencil and radiographs improperly stored were identified. Conclusion: The rates of inadequate record completion are concerning, highlighting the need for institutional actions to train students to properly and thoroughly complete records, ensuring quality care and protecting patients' rights.

APPLICABILITY OF PALATAL RUGOSCOPY CODIFICATION AS A TOOL IN HUMAN IDENTIFICATION

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0300

Forensic dentistry is one of the areas of science that places the knowledge of dentistry in favor of civil society and justice. One of the great efficiencies of this specialization is the human identification, where rugoscopy is an efficient biological method. This technique involves the study of palatine wrinkles that are unique anatomical accidents and that are present in strategic locations in the anterior portion of the hard palate, being considered immutable throughout life and, consequently, being important in the study of human identification. The objective of this work was to study the rugoscopic characteristics of individuals from the city of Feira de Santana, in order to assess its applicability as a method of individual human identification. An observational, classificatory and cross-sectional study was performed. The study corresponded to the analysis of 100 plaster casts of the upper arch, where 51 corresponded to females and 49 to males. Regarding the analyses, it was decided to adopt the classifications of Silva (1936), analyzing the quantitative relation of wrinkles; Carrea (1937), relating the arrangement of wrinkles; and Bassauri (1961), analyzing the morphotypes of wrinkles. The results showed that, according to Silva’s system, each individual has approximately 11 wrinkles. As for Carrea’s analysis, type IV was the most predominant. While Bassauri showed no agreement on any pattern. Finally, it was found that there are no significant differences, proving that rugoscopy can be used as an effective means for human identification, in addition to being a feasible, low-cost and easy-to-perform method

Past and present:

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0300

In Brazil, Forensic Odontology began to develop due to the significant work of Luiz Lustosa da Silva. Among the many activities throughout his academic life, the book entitled “Forensic Odontology”, published in 1924, stands out, as it was the first book in Brazil in which the terminology “Forensic Odontology” appears. From that moment, Forensic Dentistry spread throughout the country and, gradually, new techniques were incorporated and accepted among the range of activities performed in this field. The objective of this article was to present a summary of some of the fundamental findings of the book through a detailed reading of the book to recognize and interpret the content, followed by the selection of topics for discussion. Subsequently, a discussion based on scientific articles related to the chosen topics, exploring the evolution of science over the course of a century. The book “Forensic Odontology”, written in 290 pages, presents dental identification methods, case reports, figures and images created by the author essential for the development of Forensic Odontology. Lustosa’s futuristic vision, highlighted in this book, was crucial for the advancement of Forensic Dentistry beyond the expectations of that time, establishing as an essential part of Forensic Sciences. The evolution and lasting impact of his methods are evident, profoundly influencing today’s Forensic Dentistry.

Initial auditing and minimally invasive dentistry in dental supplementary health system

Ana Paula Callado de Lima, Ronaldo Radicchi RADICCHI — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0300

Objectives: To demonstrate the importance of the initial auditing for the promotion of oral health in Supplementary Dentistry through the guidance and encouragement of the providers to a minimally invasive action, to raise the main aspects recommended by the literature about the minimum intervention and the problems related to a purely curative and interventionist approach. Methods: Bibliographic survey of the proposed theme, published in the period from 2000 and 2022. Results: The initial auditing plays a fundamental role in establishing a care model based on health promotion, especially through an efficient analysis of treatment proposals, encouraging the providers to act in accordance with the precepts of minimal intervention, which, in turn, may include a non-operative approach to carious lesions whenever they are subject to remineralization, selective removal of carious tissue when restorative treatment is required, and repair of restorations instead of their complete replacement whenever possible. Conclusion: The main damage to the health of beneficiaries, given a predominantly invasive approach, is the entry of dental elements treated in this way, into the so-called repetitive restorative cycle, which may culminate in their early loss.

RADIOGRAPHIC DENTAL AGE ESTIMATION APPLIED TO RECTIFICATION OF BIRTH RECORDS – A CASE REPORT

Gisleine Medrado, Priscila Kitagawa, Yuri Paramonov, Ademir Franco — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0300

Introduction: Dental age estimation can be useful in criminal and civil scenarios. Among the civil applications of dental age estimation of adults is the rectification of legal documents, such as birth certificates. In this context, rectification is needed when birth registers are delayed or misfiled. The radiographic examination of teeth can be useful because it enables a non-invasive or destructive analysis of age-related parameters, namely the deposition of secondary dentin and the subsequent reduction of the pulpal space. This study reports a case of dental age estimation applied to the rectification of birth records. Case report: An adult male, who planning retirement, claimed to be 10 years younger than his current chronological age (50 years old). The man was referred to the State Medicolegal Institute for dental age estimation to aid the civil Court to decide whether rectification of birth records was necessary. Three non-invasive radiographic dental age estimation methods for adults were applied. One method was based on the linear measurements of the permanent mandibular right canine and first premolar, and the other two considered the pulp/tooth area ratio measured on the radiograph. Conclusion: The methods indicated that the individual was between 60-66 years, confirming his initial claim. Combined with medical and anthropological examinations, dental age estimation contributed to a case of legal rectification.

The dental record as an integrated document to the medical death certificate. Report of an atypical case

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0300

The medical death certificate (MDC) is a document prepared exclusively by a physician that certifies the death of a person. Its preparation requires definitively establishing the identity of the corpse, which can be difficult in the context of a violent death. Dental examination has proven to be a significant contribution in human identification processes, particularly when physiognomic characteristics are distorted. This article describes the case of a man who suffered burns over a large part of his body as a result of an accidental explosion and died days later. His identity was presumed, although it could not be legally confirmed due to the absence of identification documents. Current legislation in Argentina stipulates that death must be certified through records that make it possible to establish the identity of the deceased. In this report, the post-mortem dental record prepared by the Corrientes Provincial Police experts was attached to the CMD after confirming the victim's identity by comparing it with the recovered ante-mortem dental records, providing credibility and speed to assist justice, representing a technical, scientific, and legal precedent to be taken into account as a forensic alternative.

NATIONAL EXAM IN DENTISTRY: IS THIS THE WAY TO A “BETTER” ODONTOLOGY?

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0300

In Brazil, up to 60 new Dentistry programs were created in just one year, and the number of available spots continues to grow at a rapid pace. In response to this reality, the Federal Council of Dentistry, through Resolution CFO 263/2024 and now with Bill No. 3000/2024, aims to implement the National Proficiency Exam in Dentistry. The justification for this initiative is to improve the quality of Dentistry in the country and prevent graduates from entering the profession without the ideal qualifications. However, an analysis of the job market and other professions in Brazil is essential, as the number of law and medical graduates is also increasing. A critical analysis that considers the historical context of Dentistry and other fields, as well as the job market in Brazil, suggests that the solution may be linked to the profile of new professionals. It is crucial for new dentists to develop an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset based on the principles of the profession, which are rooted in promoting public health. The conclusion is that the discussion about the quality of Odontology should be part of the debate about training and the vision of the work market that new professionals presente.