Knowledge and Awareness of Forensic Odontology among Dental Professionals of Karachi, Pakistan.

Abstract

Introduction: Forensic dentistry is a challenging and fascinating branch of forensic science that involves the application of dental sciences in the identification of deceased individuals through the comparison of ante and postmortem records. ⁽¹⁾

Objective: The research will not only highlight the need of implementing Forensic Odontology training in undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum in the country  by investigating knowledge and awareness of dental professionals towards Forensic Odontology specially related to identification, age, mass disasters and child abuse

Methods:A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 8 private and public dental colleges after approval from institutional authorities to assess knowledge and awareness of forensic Odontology among dental professionals in Karachi

Results: Most of the research participants (84.9%) denied having any experience related to medico-legal cases. For both genders of respondents, 69% thought their knowledge was not sufficient to give medico-legal opinion. In addition, approximately 79.3% of them did not receive any formal training for collecting and preserving dental evidence. However, a vast majority of respondents (75 %) dentists want Forensic Odontology to be included as a separate subject in the undergraduate curriculum

Conclusion:By including Forensic Odontology as a separate subject in the undergraduate curriculum and as a speciality in postgraduate curriculum, dentists will gain knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects of analysis and preservation of dental evidence.

Key words:  Forensic Odontology, Medicolegal, Under & Postgraduate Studies