Dental graduates – Are we prepared to be a part of legal organization of India

Abstract

Background: Forensic odontology is a promising evolution in the field of medicine that in the interest of justice deals with proper handling and examination of dental evidence. With the advancement in science and technology this budding branch has become an integral part of the judicial system in India. However, the knowledge and awareness among dental graduates and distinctiveness of the forensic odontology branch still needs to be established. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, awareness and practise of forensic odontology among dental graduates from a dental college in Puducherry with the help of questionnaire survey. Materials and methods: A questionnaire was prepared and survey was conducted among dental graduates. Results: The survey data states that every dental graduate has perceived about forensic odontology during their course, but only 70% of the graduates know that it is DCI recognised subject. None of them were handling cases related to forensic odontology. They quoted various reasons for not being part of the forensic team. Only 3% of the graduates were very confident in handling forensic related cases and 39% of them specified about inadequate knowledge in the subject. Seventy-seven percentage of the graduates quantified that they didn’t know any professional expert to discuss if they encounter any forensic related cases. Twenty percentages of the Shakunthala G K, et al. International Journal of Medical Sciences and Advanced Clinical Research (IJMACR) © 2021, IJMACR, All Rights Reserved Page142 graduates did not agree to provide the dental record since they are being not confident about dental record maintained. Conclusion: It is noteworthy that dental graduates are aware about the branch but due to lack of professional guidance and inadequate support & motivation, practice of forensic odontology is snail-paced among young dental graduates.