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  • Title: Importance of dental records for victim identification following the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster in Thailand.
    Author: Petju M, Suteerayongprasert A, Thongpud R, Hassiri K.
    Journal: Public Health; 2007 Apr; 121(4):251-7. PubMed ID: 17276465.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: To determine the usefulness of dental records for victim identification following the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster in Thailand, and to evaluate the dental identification system in Thailand, the homeland of a large number of the victims. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive study conducted at the Thai Tsunami Repatriation Centre in Phangnga Province one year after the tsunami hit Thailand on the 26th December 2004. METHODS: The dental records of 3750 dead bodies and 3547 missing persons in the Thai Tsunami Victim Identification (TTVI) database, updated on 12th December 2005, were analysed. RESULTS: The identification rate of missing persons with dental records was significantly higher than that of those without (P<0.01). Most victims identified by dental records were returned home within the first four months after the disaster. Dental records were the primary identifier in 46.2% of those identified. However, among the Thai citizens reported missing, only 2.0% used dental identification, 18.1% had dental charts and 0.8% had dental X-rays. In addition, only 7.4% of Thai dental records could be used for dental identification and one-third of Thai victims remained the majority of those unidentified. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, the usefulness of dental records for victim identification in a disaster was confirmed. The dental identification system for nationals of Thailand could not work efficiently due to lack of dental records and insufficient recorded detail.
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