Original Article

Year : 2021 | Volume : 6 | Issue : 1 | Page : 32 - 37

Forensic Odontology – Are the Dentists Really Aware

Nidhi Sinha, Meghanand T Nayak1, Geetanshu Dawar1, Sharad Srivastava2, Neeti Swarup3, Shreya Gupta4

Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, College of Dental of Dental Sciences BBD University, 2 Department of Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care, Medanta, Lucknow, 1 Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre, TeerthankerMahaveer University.Uttar Pradesh, India, 3 Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea, 4 Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Content Strategist, RELX India Pvt. Ltd, Gurgaon

Address for correspondence:

Dr. Nidhi Sinha,

E‐mail: niii.shiv@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction:

Dentistry has much to propose to law enforcement agencies in the detection and solution of the crime. The use of teeth is the most common retractile action of self‐defense against any personal attack. Hence, it is the call of the hour for dental practitioners to obligate sound knowledge about forensic odontology and its judicial applications. It is the responsibility of each and every dentist to maintain dental records for identification in the event of child and adult abuse, and mass disasters.

Aims and Objectives:

The present study was undertaken to analyze and assess the awareness about forensic odontology among practicing dentists in Moradabad.

Materials and Methods:

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 250 dental surgeons of Moradabad and data were collected via means of questionnaires.

Result:

The overall result revealed inadequate knowledge about forensic odontology among the practitioners.

Conclusion:

The experts in different fields of dentistry have scarce or no idea regarding the contribution of their specialization in the field of forensic dentistry. This calls for greater knowledge and awareness among the practitioners and experts to necessitated the same.

Key Words: Dental practitioners, identification, mass disasters

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

How to cite this article:

Sinha N, Nayak MT, Dawar G, Srivastava S, Swarup N, Gupta S. Forensic odontology – Are the dentists really aware. Int J Forensic Odontol 2021;6:32-7.