Awareness of Forensic Odontology Amongst Dentists of Qassim Region
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.
Authors
- Hessah Hessain Almutairi
- Minal Awinashe
Institutions
- Qassim University (SA)
- Buraydah Colleges (SA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine
- Published
- 2025-06-07
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.32598/ijmtfm.v15i02.45348
- Primary Topic
- Dental Education, Practice, Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00