Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42879579›Full record

Observational studyDental press journal of orthodontics2026

Legal vulnerability of orthodontists in professional practice: a cross-sectional study.

Isabela Sales Pinheiro, Cléverson Raymundo Sbarzi Guedes, Analina Braga Apolinário, Matheus de Melo Pithon, Isabel Cristina Gonçalves Leite, Marcio José da Silva Campos, Robert Willer Farinazzo Vitral

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in Dental press journal of orthodontics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Isabela Sales PinheiroFederal University of Juiz de Fora, Dental School, Department of Orthodontics (Juiz de Fora/MG, Brazil).ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-6105-2588
Cléverson Raymundo Sbarzi GuedesFederal University of Juiz de Fora, Law School, Department of Substantive Public Law (Juiz de Fora/MG, Brazil).ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4710-8556
Analina Braga ApolinárioFederal University of Juiz de Fora, Dental School, Department of Orthodontics (Juiz de Fora/MG, Brazil).ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3866-7882
Matheus de Melo PithonState University of Southwest Bahia, Dental School, Department of Orthodontics (Jequié/BA, Brazil).ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8418-4139
Isabel Cristina Gonçalves LeiteFederal University of Juiz de Fora, Medicine School (Juiz de Fora/MG, Brazil).ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1258-7331
Marcio José da Silva CamposFederal University of Juiz de Fora, Dental School (Juiz de Fora/MG, Brazil).ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3217-9001
Robert Willer Farinazzo VitralFederal University of Juiz de Fora, Dental School (Juiz de Fora/MG, Brazil).ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0861-7243

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIn Brazil, the population's easy access to the judicial system exposes healthcare professionals, including orthodontists, to the risk of becoming involved in legal disputes for which they are often inadequately prepared.

objectiveIn this context, the aim of this study was to assess the legal vulnerability of professionals involved in orthodontic practice and to identify factors associated with professional practice. MATERIAL AND

methodsThis cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a previously validated questionnaire administered to 247 professionals engaged in orthodontic practice. Participants were classified into low, moderate, and high levels of legal vulnerability. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

resultsThe results indicated greater vulnerability among non-specialists, professionals with fewer years since graduation and shorter clinical experience, as well as among those who graduated from private institutions (p < 0.001). In addition, 72.8% of participants believed that patients' economic status may influence the occurrence of legal claims, and 53.5% reported lacking legal guidance for drafting contracts in their professional practice.

conclusionThe findings suggest the presence of vulnerabilities related to legal knowledge and professional practices, particularly among less experienced professionals and non-specialists in Orthodontics.

Indexed as

OrthodonticsOrthodontistsProfessional PracticeAdultBrazilCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID42879579
PMCPMC13660671

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.