Awareness of Forensic Odontology Amongst Dentists of Qassim Region Awareness of forensic odontology amongst dentists
International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine,
Vol. 15 No. 02 (2025),
7 June 2025
https://doi.org/10.32598/ijmtfm.v15i02.45348
Abstract
Background: Forensic odontology utilizes dental evidence to identify individuals in criminal investigations and disasters and to determine age and gender. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness of forensic odontology among dentists in Saudi Arabia and pinpoint potential areas for enhancing education and practice.
Methods: A survey involving 266 dentists in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia was conducted. The survey evaluated the dentists’ understanding of forensic odontology concepts, perspectives on the field, and readiness to manage forensic cases.
Results: The findings indicate that the dentists firmly grasped the fundamental principles of forensic odontology. Nevertheless, gaps in knowledge exist, especially in alternative identification methods, solved forensic cases, and child abuse protocols. The dentists showed a keen interest in additional training in forensic odontology and endorsed incorporating the field into the dental undergraduate curriculum.
Conclusion: This research offers an overview of the present level of forensic odontology knowledge within the dental field. Although the general performance is positive, recognizing and resolving knowledge gaps with specific interventions can enhance the integration of this important field in dental practice. Forensic odontology plays a significant role in raising awareness among dentists in Saudi Arabia.
- Awareness
- Forensic odontology
- Role
- Dentists
- Saudi Arabia
How to Cite
References
Reddy G, Reddy VP, Sharma M, Aggarwal M. Role of Orthodontics in Forensic Odontology- A Social Responsibility. J Clin Diagn Res 2016, 10(4):Ze01-03. [DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/15798.7633]
Verma AK, Kumar S, Rathore S, Pandey A. Role of dental expert in forensic odontology. Natl J Maxillofac Surg 2014; 5(1):2-5. [doi: 10.4103/0975-5950.140147]
Krishan K, Kanchan T, Garg AK. Dental Evidence in Forensic Identification - An Overview, Methodology and Present Status. Open Dent J 2015;9:250-256. [doi: 10.2174/1874210601509010250]
Divakar KP: Forensic Odontology. The New Dimension in Dental Analysis. Int J Biomed Sci. 2017;13(1):1-5.
Bjelopavlovic M, Badt F, Lehmann KM, Petrowski K. [Forensic dentistry for identity verification. A survey at the state police level]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz. 2023; 66(11):1268-1276.
Yazdanian M, Karami S, Tahmasebi E, Alam M, Abbasi K, Rahbar M, Tebyaniyan H, Ranjbar R, Seifalian A, Yazdanian A. Dental Radiographic/Digital Radiography Technology along with Biological Agents in Human Identification. Scanning 2022; 2022:5265912. [doi: 10.1155/2022/5265912]
Abdul NS, Alhazani L, Alruwail R, Aldres S, Asil S. Awareness of forensic odontology among undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate dental students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A knowledge-, attitude-, and practice-based study. J Forensic Dent Sci 2019; 11(1):35-41. [doi: 10.4103/jfo.jfds_52_19]
Giannakopoulos K, Lambrou-Christodoulou P, Kaklamanos EG. Awareness of Forensic Odontology among Dental Students and Faculty in Cyprus: A Survey-Based Study. Dentistry Journal 2024; 12(1):6. [doi: 10.3390/dj12010006.]
Nagare SP, Chaudhari RS, Birangane RS, Parkarwar PC. Sex determination in forensic identification, a review. J Forensic Dent Sci 2018; 10(2):61-66. [doi: 10.4103/jfo.jfds_55_17.]
Sahni A, Rehani S, Mathias Y, Kardam P, Nagpal R, Kumari R. A questionnaire survey on forensic odontology: Are we really aware?J Forensic Dent Sci 2016;8(2):113.[ doi: 10.4103/0975-1475.186377]
Abdul NS, Alotaibi SZ, Almughalliq FA, Alamri MD, Alshahrani RA, Almujalli AI. A Questionnaire-Based Study to Assess Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Cheiloscopy as a Forensic Odontology Diagnostic Tool Among Dental Professionals. Cureus 2022; 14(11):e31188. [doi: 10.7759/cureus.31188. eCollection 2022 Nov.]
Umashankar K, Yadalam U, Raghava V, Bose A, Roy PP, Prakash N. Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness and Practice of Forensic Odontologyamong Interns and Post Graduate Students Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness and Practice of Forensic Odontology among Interns and PostGraduate Students. RGUHS Journal of Medical Sciences 2022;12(1).[ DOI:10.26463/rjms.12_1_7 ]
Dineshkumar T, Rekha M: Assessment of knowledge and awareness of forensic odontology among dentists in Tamil Nadu - A systematic review. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2022; 26(1):121-125. [doi: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_506_20]
Preethi S, Einstein A, Sivapathasundharam B. Awareness of forensic odontology among dental practitioners in Chennai: A knowledge, attitude, practice study. J Forensic Dent Sci 2011;3(2):63-66. [doi: 10.4103/0975-1475.92145]
Soon A, Graham J, Bassed R. Teaching of forensic odontology in basic dental programmes in nine Australian dental schools: A survey. Eur J Dent Educ 2019;23(3):244-250. [doi: 10.1111/eje.12425. Epub 2019 Feb 10. ]
Malik SD, Pillai JP, Malik U: Forensic genetics. Scope and application from forensic odontology perspective. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2022; 26(4):558-563.
Qadri AW, Yadav S, Jain A, Shetty DC, Gulati N: Tooth as a vital source of DNA in forensic odontology: Recent perspective. Journal of Academy of Dental Education. 9.
Baqai HS, Zaidi SJA, Baig QA, Bashir MB, Anwar M, Ansari AS. Maintenance of dental records and awareness of forensic odontology among pakistani dentists: a mixed-method study with implications for dental data repository. BMC Oral Health 2023; 23(1):783.
Rathod V, Desai V, Pundir S, Dixit S, Chandraker R. Role of forensic dentistry for dental practitioners: A comprehensive study. J Forensic Dent Sci 2017;9(2):108-109.
Kashif M, Kamran MA, Rizwan S, Iqbal S, Aslam A, Shifa S. Awareness of dental students about forensic odontology in Karachi, Pakistan. Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology 2020;9(3):149-155.
- Abstract Viewed: 173 times
- pdf Downloaded: 218 times