Eduardo de Novaes Benedicto

Positive identification of a burned body using an implanted orthopedic plate

Human identification is usually obtained by comparing fingerprints, antemortem and postmortem radiographs, dental records and also by DNA profiling. Sometimes forensic investigators come across some medical appliances such as orthopedic devices. These medical devices may be useful to achieve positive human identification. This paper aims to present a positive identification of a burned human body by tracking batch numbers engraved in an implanted orthopedic device found in the decedents left ulna bone. The examiners also collected and analyzed other valuable hints related to the case. Forensic examination can provide reliable positive human identification, even if few, but precise information can be obtained from antemortem and postmortem records. The present report illustrates a set of valuable techniques and how identifying numbers in orthopedic devices are helpful to determine positive human identification in cases of carbonization. As seen in this case, the forensic experts used low-cost identification procedures with accurate results, avoiding DNA profiling method that would be of higher cost and time consuming. Considering social and legal aspects, it is quite important that physicians and dentists understand that correct and accurate records of surgeries they perform, such as fixation of orthopedic devices and dental implants, are utterly relevant and helpful in cases of human identification.

Determination of vertical characteristics with different cephalometric measurements

Objective: To analyze a possible correlation between different measures in the definition of vertical facial types. Materials and Methods: This is an analytical observational study about 95 lateral teleradiographs of Caucasian individuals with normal occlusion, of which 54 were male (56.84%) and 41 female (43.16%), aged between 15 years and 2 months old and 21 years and 4 months old. Facial types were divided into dolichofacial, mesofacial, and brachyfacial, according to the standards established by different authors. A relationship between these measurements was verified using total agreement analysis and the Kappa method, with the interpretation suggested by Landis and Koch. Results: Kappa was considered fair for Jarabak X VERT (0.22 and 60%) and slight for Jarabak X SN.GoGn (0.06 and 36.8%). Conclusions: Cephalometric studies often present different interpretations on the description of vertical facial types. In this study, the lowest agreement was between Jarabak and SN.GoGn. Such difference in interpretation may lead to distinct therapeutic approaches and thus different results.

Ethical and legal considerations on professional liability of the orthodontist

INTRODUCTION: After the enactment of Law 8078, of September 11, 1990, the Consumers Defense Code implied important alterations in Brazils legal scenario, providing a greater balance in the relationship between consumers and service providers. From this law, dental surgeons came to establish a consumer relationship with their clients. OBJECTIVE: Due to the ethical and legal issues against the dental professionals, this work makes general considerations about the nature of the dentist´s obligation in services, specifically in Orthodontics. CONCLUSION: The responsibility of the professional shall be restricted to predictable risks and undertaken obligations. When the professional warns the client in a correct, clear and express manner, it will lower the chances of being later charged.

Análise da educação odontológica no Brasil

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar o ensino da odontologia no Brasil quanto a categoria administrativa das instituicoes educacionais, alem da avaliacao no Provao e Enade, para melhorar a direcao do entendimento da profissao, orientando o desempenho do profissional. Para alcancar esses objetivos foram coletados dados do Conselho Federal de Odontologia, do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica e do Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anisio Teixeira. A maior parte (71%) das instituicoes de ensino no Brasil tem carater privado; a distribuicao da categoria administrativa das instituicoes publicas de educacao e 50% federal, 35% estatal e somente 15% municipal. Conclui-se que o maior numero de faculdades de odontologia encontra-se na regiao Sudeste, com 49,47%, seguida das regioes Sul (16,49%) e Nordeste (16,49%). Houve diferenca significativa em todos os anos avaliados, exceto em 1998 e 1999, entre os tipos de instituicoes de ensino superior; uma diferenca estatisticamente significativa para as IES publicas foi encontrada entre os anos de 2004 e 2007.