Biobancos e doação de dentes: uma análise do grau de conhecimento de pessoas leigas em Odontologia

Abstract

Research in Dentistry has been growing exponentially, often demanding the use of human teeth, which are legally difficult to obtain. Therefore, researchers and undergraduate Dentistry students h ave faced growing barriers to work with human teeth, coupled to people's general lack of knowledge about teeth donation to Biobanks. The aim of this study is to evaluate: the knowledge level of laypeople regarding Biobanks; the interviewees' opinions about the usage of human teeth for studies; and the receptivity about organ and teeth donation. For the development of this study, 500 laypeople were randomly selected within the Dentistry College of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, aged 18 or older, gen der independent, which, after signing the Informed Consent Form (answered a survey with questions to evaluate their knowledge level regarding organ donation, teeth donation and the importance of those to dentistry research. The results point towards an unsatisfactory knowledge level of laypeople regarding Biobanks and suggest that almost half of interviewees do not even consider the tooth an organ. In contrast, a good acceptance of human teeth usage for scientific research and a considerable possibili ty of teeth and even other organs donation were observed, showing the need of a general awareness effort regarding the availability and use of this resource.