Analysis of student satisfaction regarding the use of online technologies and resources in Forensic Dentistry / Análise da satisfação discente quanto ao uso de tecnologias e recursos online na Odontologia Forense

This study aimed to assess the level of satisfaction and the learning effectiveness evaluated by undergraduate students after using the virtual environment and its didactic materials offered by the Discipline of Forensic Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo. A case study was carried out with 113 participants, through a semi-structured online questionnaire and Moodle report for data collection. A simple descriptive analysis of the quantitative data and a content analysis of the qualitative data were performed, with subsequent triangulation and correlation of the results. The most accessed didactic materials were activities such as review questions and case studies (n = 1309), followed by workbooks (n = 230) and videos (n = 122). The activities of the virtual learning environment (VLE) helped students associate theory and practice (89%), achieve content fixation and identify occasional learning difficulties (93%). Ninety-eight percent of the students responded that the workbooks had a clear and interactive language, thus promoting autonomy and the ability to learn. Eighty-nine percent of the students agreed that the videos were satisfactory regarding quality and usefulness for learning. The comments made in response to the open-ended question corroborate these figures. The students considered the VLE useful for learning, motivating, accessible and organized, and allowing users freedom of access (AU).

Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar o nível de satisfação e a efetividade de ambiente virtual de aprendizagem e dos materiais didáticos nele disponíveis, experimentados por estudantes de graduação da Faculdade de Odontologia Universidade de São Paulo. Foi realizado um estudo de caso com 113 participantes, em que a coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de grupo focal e questionário online semiestruturado. Foi realizada a análise descritiva simples dos dados quantitativos e a análise de conteúdo dos dados qualitativos, com posterior triangulação e correlação dos resultados. Os materiais didáticos mais acessados foram atividades como questionários e estudos de caso (n= 1309), seguidas das apostilas (n=230) e vídeos (n= 122). Para os alunos, as atividades do ambiente virtual de aprendizagem (AVA) auxiliaram na associação da teoria com a prática (89%), foram importantes para a fixação do conteúdo e auxiliaram na identificação de eventuais dificuldades na aprendizagem (93%). As apostilas possuem linguagem clara e interativa, promovendo autonomia e capacidade de aprender, de acordo com 98% dos estudantes. Em relação aos vídeos, a concordância de que estes foram satisfatórios quanto à qualidade e úteis na aprendizagem foi de 89%. Os comentários da questão aberta corroboram os números. Os discentes consideraram o AVA útil para o aprendizado, motivador, acessível, organizado e que permite liberdade de acesso ao usuário (AU).

Comparison Among Manual Facial Approximations Conducted by Two Methodological Approaches of Face Prediction.

This study verified the difference between two methods of forensic facial approximation (FFA) regarding recognition and resemblance rates. Three-dimensional models of skulls were obtained from computerized tomography (CT) scans of two subjects (targets). Two manual FFAs were performed for each target, by applying two different guidelines for the facial structures (what we called "American method" (AM) and "Combined method" (CM)). Unfamiliar assessors evaluated the sculptures by recognition and resemblance tests. The AM was that which allowed more correct responses of recognition and higher resemblance's scores for the male target (p < 0.001). Regarding guidelines for modeling characteristics of the face, the ones that are practical and easily performed for sculptures, such as the length of the anterior nasal spine multiplied by 3 for nose prediction, may offer better results in terms of resemblance.

Civil liability: characterization of the demand for lawsuits against dentists.

In light of the fact that dentists may be held civilly liable for their practice, it is important to understand the current situation of lawsuits filed against these professionals by studying current legal decisions and the literature. The objective of this study was to analyze the case law of the Court of Justice of São Paulo, Brazil, relative to the profile of patients and professionals, the most commonly involved specialties, the amounts litigated and the court decisions pertaining to civil liability lawsuits against dentists. In an inductive approach, a single researcher screened and collected civil liability rulings by accessing the Court's website, and following a statistical-descriptive procedure and an indirect observation technique. The most frequently involved specialty was prosthodontics. However, oral and maxillofacial surgery was related to a higher incidence of damages awarded to settle claims and to higher damage amounts. The dentist was found guilty in 44.32% of the cases researched. Pecuniary damages ranged between R$ 485.50 and R$ 12,530.00, and non-pecuniary damages ranged between R$ 2,500.00 and R$ 70,000.00. Most lawsuits were filed by women against male dentists. An increase in the relative number of lawsuits against companies versus individuals was observed.

Civil liability: characterization of the demand for lawsuits against dentists

Abstract In light of the fact that dentists may be held civilly liable for their practice, it is important to understand the current situation of lawsuits filed against these professionals by studying current legal decisions and the literature. The objective of this study was to analyze the case law of the Court of Justice of São Paulo, Brazil, relative to the profile of patients and professionals, the most commonly involved specialties, the amounts litigated and the court decisions pertaining to civil liability lawsuits against dentists. In an inductive approach, a single researcher screened and collected civil liability rulings by accessing the Court's website, and following a statistical-descriptive procedure and an indirect observation technique. The most frequently involved specialty was prosthodontics. However, oral and maxillofacial surgery was related to a higher incidence of damages awarded to settle claims and to higher damage amounts. The dentist was found guilty in 44.32% of the cases researched. Pecuniary damages ranged between R$ 485.50 and R$ 12,530.00, and non-pecuniary damages ranged between R$ 2,500.00 and R$ 70,000.00. Most lawsuits were filed by women against male dentists. An increase in the relative number of lawsuits against companies versus individuals was observed.

Levantamento jurisprudencial: provas em processo de responsabilidade civil odontológica / Jurisprudential study: evidences in dental civil liability lawsuit

Introdução: Nas ações de responsabilidade civil, o juiz ou o Tribunal não está adstrito ao laudo pericial para formar sua convicção, mas deve expor os motivos de sua decisão com base no conjunto probatório. Este estudo visa analisar as principais provas utilizadas em ações de responsabilidade civil em face do Cirurgião-Dentista para fundamentação da sentença. Metodologia: Foram analisadas as decisões do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de São Paulo em um período de doze meses. 95 processos foram selecionados para estudo. Para a coleta de dados, foram lidos todos os julgados integralmente, tendo-se como parâmetros os tipos de prova utilizados no caso, as motivações da sentença e as decisões do Tribunal. Resultados: A principal motivação para a decisão do Tribunal baseou-se na conclusão do laudo pericial e as demais se referiram ao prontuário odontológico. Em 80 casos houve perícia. Destes, em 62 a decisão do Tribunal estava de acordo com a conclusão do laudo pericial, 15 laudos foram inconclusivos, e em três, o laudo não foi a principal prova utilizada no acórdão, tendo sido utilizado o prontuário odontológico. Dos casos em que houve apresentação de prontuário, 71% foram julgados a favor do profissional. No que tange à decisão do Tribunal, em 41 casos (n=43%) foi concluído pela má-prática profissional. Conclusão: A perícia técnica foi significativa para a comprovação da correta técnica do procedimento profissional, tendo sido o principal meio de prova para a decisão do Tribunal. A manutenção de um prontuário odontológico adequado é importante para fazer prova no processo.

Background: In civil liability lawsuits, the Court is not obliged to follow the expert report to form its conviction, but it must present its motives for decision based on the evidences. This study aims to analyze the main evidence used in civil liability lawsuits related to the dental surgeon as a basis for sentencing. Methods: The decisions of the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo were analyzed over a period of twelve months (between 2013 and 2014). Ninety-five lawsuits were selected, and all the decisions were read in their entirety, using the types of evidence used in the case, the motivations for the sentence and the Court’s decision as parameters. Results: The main motivation for the Court’s decision was based on the conclusion of the expert report and the others referred to the dental records. Experts were used in 80 cases. In the most of cases, Court decided in agreement with the conclusion of the expert report (95.38%), and in three, this report was not the main evidence used in the decision, with the dental records being used for such. Of those cases in which the records were presented, 71% were decided in favor of the professional, whose main motivation was treatment abandonment. Dental malpractice was determined in 41 cases (43%). Conclusion: The expert report was the principal means of evidence for the Court’s decision. Maintaining appropriate dental records is important for establishing evidence in the lawsuit.