title: Brazilian orthodontists and the legal issues involving their professional activity: A legal and behavioral proposal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to review the use of orthodontic records (OTR's) by Brazilian orthodontists and propose a behavioral approach from a legal point of view, drawing on their interpersonal relationship with their patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A statistical cross-analysis was performed to compare five groups. A sixth group was created comprising the intersection of the responses provided by the five aforementioned groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results demonstrate that 42.2% of orthodontists require initial and final records and keep orthodontic records throughout their professional career; 13.9% duplicate the initial records and consider patients as the lawful owners of these documents; 19.5% make use of a medical history questionnaire, to be duly signed by all patients; 5.4% acknowledge that the decision to undergo treatment is ultimately the patient's, and, therefore, the alternative response "not perform the treatment" should be included in the questionnaire; 24% recognize the importance of the Consumer Protection Code (CPC), regard the provision of orthodontic services as an obligation of means; and explain to the patient the risks involved in orthodontic treatment. Among the 1,469 orthodontists researched, 0% simultaneously took into account all aspects of this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded that Brazilian orthodontists adopt a mistaken legal, professional and behavioral attitude, neglecting to build patient's orthodontic record with due care and in accordance with the law, which makes them vulnerable to patient disputes, contentious or otherwise.
authors.forename: Elionai Dias
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Ney Soares
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: de Araújo
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003792:Dental Records / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D003815:Dentists / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D034462:Dissent and Disputes / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010067:Ownership / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
keywords: Agreements; Brazil; Documents; Informed consent; Legal responsibility