ANN ARBOR—A University of Michigan forensic dentist played a major role in bringing closure to a family whose son had been listed as missing in action from the Vietnam War for more than 34 years. Because teeth are the hardest substance in a body, lasting longer than bones or other tissues, they’re ideal for making identification. “Teeth can be susceptible to tooth decay, periodontal disease, or other factors, but once an individual dies, the forces of destruction to teeth don’t exist, so they provide an excellent, stable and reliable means to identify someone,” said Dr. Jack Gobetti, professor of dentistry at the U-M School of Dentistry. The serviceman’s family asked that no details about his identity be disclosed. Gobetti positively identified the serviceman after examining two teeth given to him in August. Gobetti got involved after a forensic molecular anthropologist, who performed DNA analysis on the first tooth, saw an article about Gobetti’s work in The University Record and asked him to confirm identification based on the second tooth. The Record is a U-M weekly publication for faculty and staff. Several months earlier, the Vietnamese government gave the family partial remains of the serviceman—a piece of a leg bone and a tooth with bridgework attached. After the remains were flown to Hawaii and identified, a member of the serviceman’s family wanted further proof and flew to the gravesite in Vietnam. The family member uncovered a second tooth, a molar, and gave it to the forensic anthropologist for additional DNA testing. Because the results of DNA tests were not conclusive on the second tooth, the anthropologist called in help. Gobetti said after he was given the molar, he made notes about its unique characteristics. “I was positive it was a molar from a Caucasian because there are differences in tooth structure among different ethnic groups,” he said. In addition, American dentistry differs from other countries. Gobetti said the work that was performed on the serviceman’s tooth was identical to the kind of bridgework done during the 1960s. The procedures used on the molar were identical to the procedures performed on patients in the U.S. during that time. “So this confirmed, at least in my mind, that I was on the right track.” After making his notes, Gobetti compared his observations to the serviceman’s military dental records. It was a perfect match for both teeth. “This is one example of how dentists provide an invaluable service to the public, especially those who have lost loved ones,” Gobetti said. “The family has been very gracious and cooperative and I was happy, in some way, to help them achieve closure.” The U-M School of Dentistry is one of the nation’s leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the school to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information, visit www.dent.umich.edu.     Producers: U-M has professional TV studios and uplink capabilities. Jack Gobetti’s faculty profile page: http://ompo.dent.umich.edu/jpgbio.html U.S. Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO): www.dtic.mil/dpmo/ Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Day Home Page: www.va.gov/vetsday/  

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