Biomaterial Database

Antemortem dental records: attitudes and practices of forensic dentists. 2007

Veronique F Delattre

Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials, University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, 6516 M.D. Anderson Blvd., #493, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Veronique.F.Delattre@uth.tmc.edu

This study was designed to provide insight concerning the attitudes and practices of forensic dentists regarding antemortem dental records reviewed for purposes of dental identification. Forensic dentists were invited to participate in a 10 item survey. The majority of the respondents reported a considerable amount of experience in dental identifications of the deceased. Sixty-six percent reported having suspected dental negligence or fraud in their antemortem record reviews. Only 17% believe that a forensic dentist should report suspected dental negligence, while 31% agree that dental fraud should be reported. Their response to additional issues addressed in the study suggests diversity in the practices and attitudes of forensic dentists in the use of antemortem dental records. In conclusion, opening a dialogue among practicing forensic dentists may lead to a standardized set of recommendations by the appropriate societies in the forensic dental community.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008318	Malpractice	Failure of a professional person, a physician or lawyer, to render proper services through reprehensible ignorance or negligence or through criminal intent, especially when injury or loss follows. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)	Professional Negligence,Negligence,Negligence, Professional,Professional Negligences
D011795	Surveys and Questionnaires	Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions.	Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D003792	Dental Records	Data collected during dental examination for the purpose of study, diagnosis, or treatment planning.	Dental Record,Record, Dental,Records, Dental
D005553	Forensic Dentistry	The application of dental knowledge to questions of law.	Dentistry, Forensic
D005607	Fraud	Exploitation through misrepresentation of the facts or concealment of the purposes of the exploiter.	Fraud, Health Care,Health Care Fraud,Kickbacks,Drug Counterfeiting,Healthcare Fraud,Counterfeiting, Drug,Fraud, Healthcare,Health Care Frauds,Kickback
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001291	Attitude of Health Personnel	Attitudes of personnel toward their patients, other professionals, toward the medical care system, etc.	Staff Attitude,Attitude, Staff,Attitudes, Staff,Health Personnel Attitude,Health Personnel Attitudes,Staff Attitudes
D014481	United States	A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D019239	Practice Patterns, Dentists'	Patterns of practice in dentistry related to diagnosis and treatment.	Dental Practice Patterns,Dentist's Practice Patterns,Practice Patterns, Dental,Dental Practice Pattern,Pattern, Dental Practice,Patterns, Dental Practice,Practice Pattern, Dental,Dentist's Practice Pattern,Dentists' Practice Patterns,Practice Pattern, Dentist's,Practice Patterns, Dentist's