Evaluation of a digital methodology for human identification using palatal rugoscopy

Palatal rugoscopy, or palatoscopy, is the process by which human identification can be obtained by inspecting the transverse palatal rugae inside the mouth. Aim: This study evaluated a digital method for human identification using palatoscopy, by comparing photographs of the palate against the images of cast models of the maxilla photographed with and without highlighting of the palatal rugae. Methods: Condensation silicone impressions were made from the upper arches of 30 adult subjects of both genders and their palates were then photographed. The first impression was made with heavy silicone, the second impression with light silicone, and then the models were cast in improved type IV dental stone. The casts were photographed, the palatal rugae of each one were highlighted with a pencil, and then the models were photographed again. Using a free image-editing software, the digital photographs were overlapped over the images of the palatal rugae of the models with and without highlighting of the palatal rugae, in order to identify the pairs. Results: The result of overlapping the digital photographs with the images of the models without highlighted palatal rugae resulted in 90% positive identification. For the overlapping of the digital photographs with the images of models with highlighted palatal rugae, there was 100% positive identification. Conclusions: The digital method evaluated in this study was proven effective for human identification.

Conhecimento de mães sobre promoção de saúde bucal em bebês / Mother’s knowledge on oral health promotion for babies

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o nível de conhecimento sobre promoção de saúde bucal em bebês de todas as mães (n=60), com idade de 18-42 anos, que frequentaram a Clínica de Prevenção da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araraquara, da Universidade Estadual Paulista (FOA-Unesp), durante o período 2005-2008. Métodos - Realizou-se uma entrevista utilizando questionário contendo 18 questões abertas e cinco fechadas sobre o conhecimento e práticas em saúde bucal de bebês relacionadas à cárie e sua prevenção, bem como sobre informações sociodemográficas. Resultados - A maioria das mães acreditava que o leite materno não causa cárie (73,3%), que esta não é uma doença transmissível (51,6%) e que o antibiótico provoca cárie (63,3%). Quase todas as mães (93,3%) responderam que a doença poderia ser evitada escovando os dentes, ação que deveria ser iniciada desde o nascimento do primeiro “dente de leite” (75%). Para 73,3% das entrevistadas,o uso do fio dental deveria ser iniciado somente após o irrompimento de todos os “dentes de leite”. A maior porcentagem das mães (83,3%) sabia o que era o flúor, mas 33,3% desconheciam a época ideal para iniciar sua utilização. A orientação do cirurgião-dentista em relação à saúde bucal deseus bebês foi considerada importante por 96,7% das mães. Conclusões - As mães entrevistadas demonstraram conhecimento em relação à escovação dental em bebês, porém, não sabiam sobre outras variáveis importantes na promoção de saúde bucal dos bebês, como os fatores etiológicos da doença, uso de compostos fluoretados e visitas ao cirurgião-dentista.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge level on oral health promotion for babies of all mothers (n=60), aged 18-42 years, assisted in the Preventive Dentistry Clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry of Araraquara, at Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), during the period 2005-2008. Methods -An interview was performed using a questionnaire with 18 open and five closed questions about knowledge and practices related to caries prevention as well as demographic information. Methods -The majority believed that breast milk does not cause caries (73.3%), that caries is not a transmissible disease (51.6%) and that antibiotics cause caries (63.3%). Almost all mothers (93.3%) responded that brushing teeth could prevent the disease, action that should be initiated since first tooth erupts (75%). For 73.3% of the respondents, the use of dental floss should be initiated only after all deciduous teeth erupt. Results - The majority (83.3%) knew what was fluoride, but a third of them (33.3%) did not know the best time to start using it. The dentist counseling related to oral health of babies was considered important by 96.7% of mothers. Conclusion - The mothers presented good knowledge about baby’s oral hygiene, however, they did not know about other important variables for oral health promotion of babies.