Forensic Odontology in Undergraduate Dental Curriculum: Interns Outlook in Dental Institution, India-Focus Group Study

Objectives: Study explores intern's perception regarding Forensic odontology in Undergraduate (UG) curriculum based on their qualitative feedback in a private dental institution, Bangalore, India. Methods: A qualitative study was undertaken using a focus group approach with a purposive sample of interns of a private dental institution, Bangalore. Ethical approval was obtained before the study. Group discussions were initiated by using guideline document. Audio recording and field notes from the two focus groups, with a total of 16 participants, were transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach. Results: Themes derived were Present scenario of Forensic odontology in Undergraduate curriculum, Expectations of interns from Undergraduate curriculum regarding Forensic odontology, Existence of Forensic odontology as a subject in Undergraduate curriculum and as a specialization in dentistry, Scope of Forensic odontology in India, Exhortation to strengthen Forensic odontology. Interns felt that the Forensic odontology in Undergraduate curriculum is inadequate in respect to time allocated for teaching, weightage given in university exams and competency acquired in the field, as compared with the international standards. Interns showed inclination towards acquiring basic skills in Forensic odontology to manage patients in their routine clinical practice. Conclusion: Incorporating substantial content of Forensic odontology in Undergraduate curriculum needs to be considered by Dental Council of India during curriculum revision process to train the general dentist better in this field.