Level of Awareness of Maintaining Dental Records Among Dental Practitioners in Sirte, Libya: Are we Ready for Forensic Odontology?

Abstract

Objective: To determine the quality of maintained dental records and analyze the knowledge and use of them in any of forensic or medico-legal purposes by Sirte's dental practitioners. Materials and Methods: A cross- sectional survey was conducted in a sample of 70 dental practitioners in Sirte and data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The data so gathered were subjected for descriptive analysis.

Results: 80 % of surveyed dentists maintained records but only 10% of them kept the complete dental record. When asked about duration of maintained records, 61% of them kept for less than three years. About 56% of sample used paper prepared form as method to maintain dental records and only 20% used computer software. 91% of practitioners did not think that mandatory to legally maintain the dental records, when asked about whether the legal rights of owning the dental records in Sirte is it medico-legally important, 98% response was yes. The significance of dental records for forensic needs was evaluated, only 18% dental practitioners were asked to produce any records in forensic court of law. Only 3% asked to produce dental file for forensic purposes. 55% of practitioners did not know how to estimate the age of individual. About 94% of sample did not have any training in forensic dentistry. All the surveyed dentists' response was yes, when asked about the importance of forensic dentistry in Libya.

Conclusion: The present study showed Non-maintenance or poor quality of dental records maintained. Our study revealed that the dentists in Sirte are not prepared for any kind of forensic and medico-legal need if it arises due to the poor knowledge, attitude and lack of practice of forensic odontology.