Knowledge and Attitude about Forensic Odontology among Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students.

Autor: Saraswathi, Gopal K., Gayathri, P. S.
Předmět:
Zdroj: Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology; Jan-Jun2015, Vol. 9 Issue 1, p93-96, 4p
Abstrakt: Background: Forensic odontology is a major branch of forensic science, as dental tissues are the strongest tissues in the human body and their characteristics remain unchanged even after long periods of stay in extreme environments. Thus, the importance of dental identification is increasing year by year. AIM: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the knowledge and attitude about forensic odontology among undergraduate and postgraduate dental students. Materials and Method: In this cross-sectional study, 100 postgraduate and undergraduate (final year and interns) dental students studying in Chennai were randomly selected. Data was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire which included fields about the respondent's personal profile and questions on forensic odontology Results: The present survey indicates that the two-thirds of dental students have adequate knowledge about forensic odontology(65%). One-third of the dental students have less knowledge on forensic odontology(35%). This is mainly because of inadequate exposure to subject in the field of forensic dentistry, less importance given to the subject in the curriculum and lack of practical exposure to forensic cases. The undergraduate and postgraduate programs must be improved by including lectures on forensic odontology, followed by clinical training. We wish to conclude that, for an efficient forensic investigation, a highly competent dental team should co-ordinate with other forensic experts for a fruitful outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index