Guest editorial

Human tooth bank: importance and social role

The creation of the Human tooth bank (HTB) in the teaching institutions with graduation and post-graduation programs as well as technical secondary courses has great importance and relevant social role today. The quality of the teaching and consequently of the vocational training is directly and indirectly linked to the perspective of performing the clinical simulation in natural teeth and of conducting researches supporting the scientific advancement. Well-structured HTB has the prospect of capturing and providing teeth for academic activities. It has been emphasized that the same tooth can be employed at different stages of the courses, from the study of tooth morphology to prosthetic preparations after restorative and/or endodontic treatments.

The processing of the teeth assures a safe handling for both the students and researchers maintaining the quality of the tooth and respecting the legal and environmental aspects. This RSBO issue publishes a literature review study which supports the processing of teeth at HTB and proposes the creation of a protocol/routine of procedures aiming at systematizing and ensuring the quality of this processing.

Erica Lopes Ferreira
Curitiba City Hall