Survey on the dental age estimation practice among Brazilian experts

Abstract

Screening experts’ practice and knowledge is a quality-control procedure to draw strategical actions towards the improve of services within the forensic routine. This study aimed to assess the forensic odontological facilities and knowledge of Brazilian experts regarding dental age estimation practice. A self-applicable 14-question survey addressing the demographic aspects, facilities and knowledge of Brazilian forensic odontologists was designed and sent to experts allocated all the geographic regions of Brazil. The questionnaire was answered by 28 forensic odontologists. Fifteen (83.33%) respondents had more than five dental age assessments per year, while 13 (72.22%) had less than five cases. The main reason behind dental age estimation practices in Brazil was human identification (n = 14; 50%). Fifteen (83.33%) respondents indicated that they have radiographic units. More dental age estimation cases were reported among experts of the Northeastern region (p = 0.03). The same region also had a higher report of radiological units (p = 0.04). Nicodemo’s and Lamendin’s methods were the most reported for the age assessment of children/adolescents and adults, respectively. The outcomes of the present study suggest that the Brazilian forensic odontologists might have at least the minimum equipment for dental age estimation of children, adolescents and adults.