title: Retrospective investigation of dental records used in forensic identification cases.
abstract: The purpose of this paper was to investigate the standard of dental record keeping from a sample of forensic records retrieved from the Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Pretoria. Forty of the most recent cases in which ante-mortem information was required, were analysed. From the investigation it was clear that dentists did not comply with the requirements pertaining to dental charting and record keeping. A recommended code of abbreviations is proposed for use by dentists. It is concluded that until such time as charting is reinstituted as a legal requirement by the Health Professional Council of South Africa, dentists would not routinely chart their patients' dental status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Pretoria, PO Box 1266, PRETORIA 0001, Gauteng, South Africa.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: van Niekerk
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bernitz
mesh_terms: D003792:Dental Records / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards; D005553:Forensic Dentistry; D005568:Forms and Records Control / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013019:South Africa