Faculty Bibliography

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common form of oral cancer in adults. Because orthodontists often treat many adult patients, practitioners need to be aware of the clinical signs of this malignancy. In this article, we discuss the epidemiology, clinical appearance, and pathology of squamous cell carcinoma, and present the orthodontic management of a patient.

INTRODUCTION: Angle's system for classifying molar relationships has been the standard in orthodontics for over a century. The purpose of this study was to determine what orthodontic students are being taught about the terminology of molar relationships and the use of Angle's molar classification system. METHODS: An e-mail survey was sent to the department chair or the program director of every orthodontic program in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico (n = 80). The survey included photos of models placed into 1/4 cusp, 1/2 cusp, and 3/4 cusp distal occlusions, and the participants were asked to classify them by selecting from a list of terms or writing 1 of their own. They were also asked whether they thought that the Angle molar classification was adequate for communication and diagnosis. RESULTS: Forty surveys were completed and returned. The results showed that a variety of terminology is being taught, and most educators do not use Angle's system as he defined it. About half of the respondents were dissatisfied with the Angle molar classification system. CONCLUSIONS: A modification of Angle's system that is more descriptive is needed.

The role of expert witnesses in medical malpractice litigation is often misunderstood. Much maligned, the expert has been the subject of castigation by a range of people, from his professional colleagues to the jurists who preside over his testimony. From an academic perspective, the expert witness is a necessary evil, and his denigration is his own doing; for the expert is a neutral character who creates his own professional persona. This purpose of this article is to serve as a primer for those interested in understanding the role that the expert is supposed to play in litigation, and the factors surrounding his activities.

Orthodontists routinely refer patients to oral surgeons or periodontists for exposure of impacted or ectopic teeth. Although other specialists perform these procedures, the orthodontist could have a legal responsibility to obtain informed consent, depending on how the referral orders are written. The purpose of this article is to discuss some considerations of the informed consent process for surgical exposure and alignment of impacted or ectopic teeth, and to suggest a template for an informed consent form for this use.