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International Journal of Oral Health Dentistry 2022;8(4):312–316
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International Journal of Oral Health Dentistry
Journal homepage: www.ijohd.org
Original Research Article
Forensic odontology: A peek into the mind of dentists
Himanshu Aeran
1, Rahul Pandey
2,*, Nitin Khanduri2, Avantika Tuli2
1Dept. of Prosthodontics & Crown and Bridge, Seema Dental College & Hospital, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
2Dept. of Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry, Seema Dental College & Hospital, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
ARTICLE INFO
Article history:
Received 24-11-2022
Accepted 09-11-2022
Available online 19-12-2022
Keywords:
Forensic odontology
Awareness
Knowledge
Practice
Dentists
ABSTRACT
Background: Our study’s objective was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and understanding of forensic
odontology in undergraduate and postgraduate students in Uttarakhand.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional institution-based study conducted among a total of
465 undergraduate and postgraduate dental students in the state of Uttarakhand. These included 428
undergraduate and 37 post graduate students. Males 94 (20.2%) and females 371 (79.8%) aged between 18
to 40 years were included.
Results: A statistically significant difference was also found among the responses received on the questions
whether forensic odontology played a role in mass disasters and if teeth could serve as a source of DNA
amongst both the groups. 94.5% of the postgraduate respondents were aware of the significance of bite
mark patterns of teeth as opposed to 54.4% of undergraduates which was also statistically significant.
Conclusion: Our study revealed that postgraduate students had better knowledge, attitude and awareness
about forensic odontology as compared to the undergraduate students. Both the groups together lacked
adequate knowledge about forensic odontology but agreed that there is a scope in this field of dentistry and
were interested in further courses to learn about the study of forensic odontology.
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1. Introduction
The essence of Forensic Science lies in the application of
science and technology to the detection and investigation
of crimes in order to bring justice is. Forensic odontology
is a subspecialty of dentistry that deals with the
appropriate management of dental evidence in the interest
of justice as well as the appropriate appraisal and
presentation of dental results, according to the Fédération
Dentaire Internationale.1Since 66 AD, identifying deceased
individuals have been done using dental identification.2
Ever since, this science has developed in leaps and bounds.
The field of forensic odontology sees evolving trends
in identification of human dental remains as we speak.
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address:drrahulpandey94@gmail.com (R. Pandey).
Nevertheless, all the advancements are futile if not utilized
in the right manner by the right people in the right situations.
Currently, forensic odontology faces many hurdles as a
specialised field of dentistry which include the lack of
trained personnel, scarcity of training facilities and deficient
introduction to the subject during undergraduate years.2
The practise of forensic odontology differs significantly
and incommensurately across dental professionals in
India.3Other investigations undertaken over the past
ten years in Indian cities like Kashmir, Chennai, Pune,
Kanpur, Ghaziabad, and the Delhi National Capital Region
showed that the respondents’ levels of forensic odontology
knowledge and awareness were insufficient.3
Our study’s objective was to evaluate the
knowledge, attitudes, and understanding of forensic
odontology in undergraduate and postgraduate students in
https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijohd.2022.059
2395-4914/© 2022 Innovative Publication, All rights reserved. 312
Aeran et al. / International Journal of Oral Health Dentistry 2022;8(4):312–316 313
Uttarakhand.
No study, to the best of our understanding has been
conducted in Uttarakhand about forensic dentistry and its
applications in practice.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study design
This is a cross-sectional institution-based study conducted
among a total of 465 undergraduate and postgraduate dental
students in the state of Uttarakhand. The study included
those dental students who enrolled in their respective
institutions for the course of Bachelor of Dental Surgery
(BDS) or Masters of Dental Surgery (MDS) and were
willing to participate in the survey.
2.2. Ethical statement
Ethical clearance was obtained from the institution
concerned. Informed consent was obtained at the start of the
online survey from participants after they had been informed
of the study’s goal and purpose.
2.3. Data collection
A self-administered, structured and validated questionnaire
in English language was distributed among the 465
participants online via a google form link which directed
them towards our questionnaire. These included 428
undergraduate and 37 post graduate students. Males 94
(20.2%) and females 371 (79.8%) aged between 18 to
40 years were included. Out of the total respondents,
18 participants did not provide consent for the study
and hence were excluded from the study bringing the
total number of valid responses to 447. (Figure 1) A
validated questionnaire from previously conducted similar
studies was used containing 19 questions.4–6 These 19
questions were further divided into twelve knowledge-based
questions, four attitude-based questions and three practice-
based questions. The questions contained both yes or no and
multiple-choice questions. The prepared questionnaire was
distributed among the two dental colleges of Uttarakhand.
2.4. Data analysis
The collected data were analysed using IBM SPSS
Statistics, Version 26.0 (Armonk, NY, USA). Pearson’s Chi
square test was used to compare the two groups and the level
of significance was set at P ≤0.05.
3. Results and Observations
A total of 447 dental students completed the questionnaire
which included 410 undergraduates and 37 postgraduates.
Males 94(20.2%) and females 371(79.8%) aged between
18 and 40 years were included. Questions 1-12 were
Fig. 1: Pie chart depicting the total number of responses received
in the study. A total of 465 responses were received out of which
413 were undergraduate whereas37 were post graduate responses
knowledge-based questions, 13-15 were practice-based
questions and question 16-19 were attitude-based questions
on forensic odontology.
3.1. Knowledge about forensic odontology: (Questions
1-12) (Table 1)
There was a statistically significant difference in the
responses received by the participants on the source
of knowledge about forensic odontology where 75.6%
of the postgraduates responded with workshops and
lectures in college as their source of information whereas
undergraduates chose Media as their answer to the question
in majority. A statistically significant difference was also
found among the responses received on the questions
whether forensic odontology played a role in mass disasters
and if teeth could serve as a source of DNA amongst both
the groups. 94.5% of the postgraduate respondents were
aware of the significance of bite mark patterns of teeth
as opposed to 54.4% of undergraduates which was also
statistically significant.
3.2. Practice of forensic odontology: (Questions 13-15)
(Table 2)
A statistically significant result was found between the
groups when asked about their practices of forensic
odontology. The questions asked to the participants were
if they maintained dental records of their patients where
97.2% of the postgraduates responded positively. Secondly,
when asked about the method with which they maintained
records, majority of the responses were found to be with
all of the above in both groups which contained casts,
radiographs, patient photograph, case record of the patient
as a multiple-choice question.
314 Aeran et al. / International Journal of Oral Health Dentistry 2022;8(4):312–316
Table 1: Results of knowledge based questions
S.
No.
Question Response Level of Qualification
UG (N=410) PG (N=37) Total (N=447) X2, P
1. Are you aware of a branch in
dentistry called forensic
odontology?
Yes 380(92.6) 35 (94.5) 415 (92.8) X2=0.187
P=0.666
No 30(7.4) 2(5.4) 32 (7.2)
2. Do you have “forensic
odontology” as part of your
curriculum?
Yes 160(39) 17(45.9) 117 (39.6) X2=0.680
P=0.410
No 250(61) 20 (54) 270 (60.4)
3.
What is the source of your
knowledge about forensic
odontology?
Workshops or
Lectures in
College
182 (44) 28 (75.6) 210(47)
X2=13.992
P=0.003
Media
(Internet,
Television, etc.)
190(46) 7 (18.9) 197(44.1)
Newspapers 12(2.9) 0 12(2.7)
Other: 26(6.3) 2 (5.4) 28(6.3)
4. Are you aware that a dentist can
testify as an expert witness in
court to present forensic dental
evidence (dental records)?
Yes 348 (84.2) 35 (94.5) 383(85.7) X2=2.612
P=0.106
No 62 (15) 2(5.4) 64(14.3)
5. Do you think forensic odontology
plays a role in mass disaster?
Yes 286(69.2) 34(91.8) 320(71.6) X2=8.176
P=0.004
No 124(29.7) 3(8.1) 127(28.4)
6. Can teeth serve as a source of
DNA?
Yes 323(78.2) 36 (97.2) 359(80.3) X2=7.395
P=0.025
No 17(4.1) 0 17(3.8)
Don’t Know 70(16.9) 1(2.7) 71(15.9)
7. How do you identify dental age in
children and adults?
Eruption
patterns and
calcification
385(93.2) 36(97.2) 421(94.2)
X2=1.405
P=0.704
Histological
methods
10(2.4) 1(2.7) 11(2.5)
Biochemical
methods
3(0.7) 0 3(0.7)
I don’t Know 12(2.9) 0 12(2.7)
8. How can you identify signs and
symptoms of child abuse?
Physical
Injuries
15(3.6) 0 15(3.4)
X2=2.278
P=0.517
Behavioural
change
23(5.5) 2(5.4) 25(5.6)
Any scars 4(0.9) 1(2.7) 5(1.1)
All of the above 368(89.1) 34(91.8) 402(89.9)
9. Do you know the significance of
bite mark patterns of teeth?
Yes 325(54.4) 35(94.5) 360(80.5) X2=5.086
P=0.024
No 85(20.5) 2(5.4) 87(19.5)
10.
Can dental records be used to
identify deceased persons or
crime suspects?
Yes 393 (95.1) 37 (100) 430(96.2) X2=1.595
P=0.207
No 17(4.1) 0 17(3.8)
11. What is the study of lip prints in
forensic dentistry called?
Lipology 17(4.1) 1(2.7) 18(4)
X2=7.245
P=0.064
Cheiloscopy 295(71.4) 34(91.8) 329(73.6)
Dermatoglyphics 8(1.9) 0 8(1.8)
I don’t know 90(21.7) 2(5.4) 92(20.6)
12. Do you know the name of any
formal forensic courses in India?
Yes 137(33.4) 14(37.8) 151(33.8) X2=0.297
P=0.586
No 273(66.5) 23(62.1) 296(66.2)
Aeran et al. / International Journal of Oral Health Dentistry 2022;8(4):312–316 315
Table 2: Results of practice based questions
S.
No.
Question Response Level of Qualification
UG (N=410) PG (N=37) Total (N=447) X2, P
1. Do you maintain the dental
records of your patients?
Yes 321(77.7) 36(97.2) 357 X2=7.623
P=0.006
No 89(21.5) 1(2.7) 90
2. If yes, Which of the
following are maintained?
Casts 5 (1.2) 0 5
X2=25.643
P=0.000
Radiograph 15(3.6) 2(5.4) 17
Patient
Photograph
1(0.2) 2(5.4) 3
Case record of
the patient
98(23.7) 3 101
All of the above 223(53.9) 29(78.3) 252
3.
What would you do if you
identify signs and
symptoms of child abuse?
Inform Police 211(51) 19(51.3) 230
X2=0.497
P=0.920
Inform Non
Governmental
Organisations
58(14) 4(10.8) 62
Inform Parents 140(33.8) 14(37.8) 154
Take no action 1(0.2) 0
Table 3: Results of attitude based questions
S.
No.
Question Response Level of Qualification X2, P
UG (N=410) PG (N=37) Total
(N=447)
1.
How confident are you in giving
an opinion on forensic
odontology?
Very
Confident
28(6.7) 4(10.8) 32
X2=3.110
P=0.375
Confident 196(47.4) 17(45.9) 213
Not
Confident
115(80.4) 13(35.1) 128
No Idea 71(17.1) 3(8.1) 74
2. Are you interested in formal
training in forensic odontology?
Yes 374(90.5) 32(86.48) 406 X2=0.913
P=0.339
No 36(8.7) 5(13.51) 41
3. Do you think there is scope of
forensic odontology as a
profession?
Yes 387(94.4) 36(97.3) 423 X2=0.564
P=0.452
No 23(5.6) 1(2.7) 24
4. Do you feel our country has
limited resources for forensic
science?
Yes 374(91.3) 34(91.9) 408 X2=0.019
P=0.890
No 36(8.7) 3(8.1) 39
3.3. Attitude towards forensic odontology: (Questions
17-19) (Table 3)
In this section, the participants were asked about their
attitude towards forensic odontology by asking them their
thoughts on their confidence towards forensic odontology
and their willingness to receive formal training in forensic
odontology. Only 45.9% of the PG’s said that they were
confident in giving their opinion on the subject whereas
80.4% of the UG’s opted for the option not confident.
Both the groups (90.5% UG’s and 86.48% PG’s) showed
interest in receiving formal training in forensic odontology.
All the participants of this survey agreed that there is a
scope of forensic odontology as a profession (94.4% UG’s
and 97.3% PG’s) but they also felt that our country has
limited resources for forensic science (91.3% UG’s and
91.9% PG’s). There was no statistically significant data
found among the two groups in this section.
4. Discussion
Forensic odontology is the most misprized branch of
dentistry across the world. With the rise in unemployment
rate in the field of dentistry in the country, many
undergraduates and postgraduates are looking towards
alternatives to clinical practice and forensic odontology
is one of the frontrunners in this regard. Although there
are various studies discussing the knowledge, attitude and
awareness of dental practitioners as well as dental students
in India, our study is the first of its kind to be conducted in
the state of Uttarakhand, India.
Forensic science has gained much popularity in
India through television shows but the field of forensic
odontology still remains unexplored. Despite the fact that
316 Aeran et al. / International Journal of Oral Health Dentistry 2022;8(4):312–316
there are changing trends in the career opportunities
in forensic odontology, law enforcement agencies still
approach dental surgeons in government service rather
than dentists qualified in this field but not associated with
government service. This has resulted in a scarcity of
qualified forensic odontologists in India as most dentists do
not see it as a profitable source of income.5
The present study showed that only 94.5% of the
participants were aware of the branch called forensic
odontology and 60.5% of the students said that they do
no have forensic odontology as a part of their curriculum
which is in contrast to a study where they found 100%
awareness for the same. We observed that 91.8% of the
students were aware of the role of dentists in mass disasters.
On the contrary Abdul et al. (2019) reported that 77.5% of
the participants were aware about it.7
5. Conclusion
Our study revealed that postgraduate students had
superior knowledge, attitude and awareness about forensic
odontology as compared to the undergraduate students.
Both the groups together lacked adequate knowledge about
forensic odontology but agreed that there is a scope in this
field of dentistry and were interested in further courses to
learn about the study of forensic odontology. Thus, the
authors would like to suggest that there must be an increase
in exposure of students towards forensic odontology as a
field under the umbrella of career opportunities in dentistry.
6. Sources of Funding
None.
7. Conflict of Interest
None.
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Author biography
Himanshu Aeran, Director Principal, Professor & Head
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7723-7108
Rahul Pandey, PG Student
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3809-1959
Nitin Khanduri, Reader
Avantika Tuli, Professor & Head
Cite this article: Aeran H, Pandey R, Khanduri N, Tuli A. Forensic
odontology: A peek into the mind of dentists. Int J Oral Health Dent
2022;8(4):312-316.
