Awareness of Forensic Odontology among Undergraduates and Postgraduates of Various Dental Colleges: A Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) based Study

Forensic dentistry involves application of dental science in the identification of child/sexual abuse or deceased individuals. It is the identification, processing, review, evaluation and presentation of dental evidence in the interest of justice. Our present study was to assess the awareness of Forensic Odontology among undergraduates and postgraduates of various dental colleges. A cross - sectional survey was conducted containing knowledge, attitude and practice based 15 questions on the concept of forensic odontology among dental students. Nearly 402 participants took interest in the study and filled out the questionnaire given to them. Our study revealed that there was adequate awareness on the concept of forensic odontology among undergraduate and postgraduate dental students however they lacked knowledge on the perception of existence and scope in the field of Forensic Odontology. Within the limits of our study, we feel that many dental students are interested and eager to learn the subject so it should be included as a topic in the curriculum of dental courses and sensitization programs should be conducted for dental students.