Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology (JFOS) ISSN: 2219-6749
Vol 35, No 1 July 2017
Awareness About Medico Legal Aspects And Consumer Protection Act Among Dentists
Radhika T., Nadeem Jeddy, Arthi R., Nithya S.
Background: The practice of medicine in India has undergone considerable change affecting delivery of health in both positive and negative directions. As a result, there was a growing feeling that medical treatment should be made accountable and this led to doctors and dentists becoming subject to the process of law. Patients have become more aware of their right to compensation and as a consequence doctors and dentists should be knowledgeable about the laws that govern them. Aims and objectives: To assess the awareness about Medico legal aspects and Consumer Protection Act [CPA] among Dental professionals. Materials and methods: A self-structured validated questionnaire comprising of 20 questions related to medico legal aspects and CPA was designed. A total of 450 dental professionals were surveyed from 4 prime dental institutions in Chennai, India. Of the 450 professionals that were surveyed 150 were MDS faculty, 150 were BDS faculty and 150 were PG students. The data was subjected to SPSS, version 16 and statistically analysed using Chi square test and Fisher’s exact test. A- p value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: BDS faculty, MDS faculty and PG students were found to possess similar level of understanding and there was no significant difference between the groups. Knowledge was found to be equal between male and female dentists. The young practitioners were found to be more informed about CPA than the senior practitioners. Conclusions: It was found that most of the participants were aware of relevant Medico legal aspects, but were less aware of CPA. This study emphasises the need for education relevant to Medico legal aspects and CPA for dental professionals.
(J Forensic Odontostomatol 2017;35;1:1-8)
Sex Prediction From Morphometric Palatal Rugae Measures
Maria Saadeh, Joseph G. Ghafari, Ramzi V. Haddad, Fouad Ayoub
Background: While abundant research has been conducted on palatal rugae (PR), the literature pertaining to the sex dimorphism of the palatal rugae and their use for sex prediction is inconclusive. Moreover, palatal rugae have been classified into categories based on length, shape, direction and unification but accurate rugal morphometric linear and angular measurements have not yet been reported. Objective: The aims of this study were to -1- assess the dimensions and bilateral symmetry of the first three palatal rugae in an adult population and -2- explore sex dimorphism and the ability to predict sex from palatal rugae measurements. Materials and methods: The maxillary dental casts of 252 non-growing subjects (119 males, 130 females, mean age 25.6 ± 7.7 years) were scanned using a laser system (Perceptron ScanWorks® V5). Angular and linear transverse and anteroposteior measures of the first three palatal rugae were recorded. Independent samples t-tests and paired samples t-tests were used to test for side related differences and sex dimorphism. Multiple logistic regression was employed to model sex using associated palatal rugae measures. Results: Palatal rugae exhibited lateral asymmetry in the majority of bilateral measures. Males presented with larger values for 9 out of 28 parameters. Four linear rugae measurements and one angular measurement together correctly classified 71.4% of the subjects in their true gender. Conclusions: Morphometric palatal rugae measurements demonstrated promising usefulness in sex prediction. Recording morphometric linear and angular measures is recommended as an adjunct to the commonly used classification based on the shapes of rugae.
(J Forensic Odontostomatol 2017;35;1:9-20)
Palatal Rugae Morphology In An Adult Mediterranean Population
Maria Saadeh, Joseph G. Ghafari, Ramzi V. Haddad, Fouad Ayoub
Background: The use of the palatal rugae in forensic odontology is based on their unique and individual characteristics. Few studies have assessed the palatal rugae in Mediterranean populations and none in the Lebanese population. Objective: Assess the shape and other morphological features of the palatal rugae in a Lebanese adult population, and compare them with reported similar features in other populations. Materials and methods: Rugae characteristics were assessed on the maxillary dental casts of 217 non-growing subjects (95 males, 122 females, age 25.5 ± 7.6 years) according to guidelines established by Thomas and Kotze (1983) and Lysell (1955). The overall number of rugae and numbers of primary rugae (>5mm in length), secondary rugae (3-5mm) and fragmentary rugae (2-3mm) on either side were recorded. Rugae were classified according to shape, direction and presence of unification. Z-tests were used to compare the proportions between right and left sides and between genders. The mean numbers of rugae in each category were compared with independent samples t-tests between males and females; paired samples t-tests were employed to compare mean numbers of rugae in each category between right and left sides. The data were compared with published reports on other Mediterranean cohorts. Results: The average number of rugae was 7.7 per individual, 3.81 on the right and 3.89 on the left. Curved, wavy and straight rugae patterns were equally common (one third each). The spatial direction of most rugae (49.3%) was backward. Circular, non-specific and convergent rugae were rare (<2% each). Rugae numbers (total, primary, secondary, fragmentary) were symmetrical but shape, direction and the occurrence of convergence were asymmetrical (p < 0.05). None of the examined characteristics showed gender dimorphism. Tabulated comparisons disclosed the equality of rugae patterns as major differences with findings from other Mediterranean studies. Conclusions: The palatal rugae in the Lebanese population display shape distinct from other reported Mediterranean and non-Caucasian populations. Studies in large samples and primary comparisons with other Mediterranean populations are warranted.
(J Forensic Odontostomatol 2017;35;1:21-32)
Association Among Geometric Configurations Of Palatal Rugae
Maria Saadeh, Joseph G. Ghafari, Ramzi V. Haddad, Fouad Ayoub
Background: The associations between the length and morphological shape-related characteristics of palatal rugae have not been fully explored. Objective: We aimed to assess the possible association among various geometric configurations of the palatal rugae in an adult population. Materials and methods: The maxillary dental casts of 217 non-growing subjects (95 males, 122 females, mean age 25.5±7.6 years) were scanned (laser scanning system Perceptron ScanWorks® V5) and digitized for linear measurements. The casts were also surveyed for visual categorization into curved, wavy, straight and other topographical forms, along with spatial direction of the rugae and the presence of unification. The rugae were categorized as primary, secondary, and fragmentary based on their lengths (>5mm, 2-3mm, <2mm, respectively). Chi square and one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests were used to compare the palatal rugae groupings. Results: Primary and backward-directed rugae prevailed in the total sample (84.7% and 49.3%, respectively). Wavy form was dominant among primary lengths, while straight form was associated with the shorter secondary and fragmentary groups (p=0.0042). Absence of unification was the norm (88.8%). Conclusions: Associations of length and shape characteristics among palatal rugae combine wavy patterns with increased length, and straight forms with shorter folds. These features contribute to the definition of ruga individuality in combination rather than separately.
(J Forensic Odontostomatol 2017;35;1:33-41)
