Knowledge, Awareness, and Interest in Forensic Odontology Among the Dental Teaching Staffs in the Dental Colleges of Jharkhand

Background: Forensic dentistry is a subspecialty of forensic science that handles, examines, and presents evidence from teeth in the most ethical manner possible. In addition to doing research, forensic odontology (FO) entails managing, examining, assessing, and presenting evidence from dentistry in civil or criminal investigations. In these circumstances, the forensic odontologist aids the court system by reviewing the dental findings. Aim: The present investigation was carried out to assess the dental faculty member's awareness, interest, and knowledge of FO at dental educational institutions in Jharkhand, India. Methods and materials: The sample size calculation assumes a simple random sampling technique and a large population size using the formula E=sqrt((Z^2*p*(1-p))/n). A total of 102 dental teaching faculty members from diverse dental specialties participated in the survey. Utilizing a validated questionnaire that was sent directly after receiving approval from the institutional ethics committee in January 2023, data were gathered in a tailored manner. The questionnaire included 12 questions to gauge the dental teaching faculty members' awareness, knowledge, and interest in FO. Closed-ended questions were included. The outcomes were computed using a percentage system. Results: In this study, 95% of study participants agreed with the fact that teeth are a possible source of DNA, while 5% were unaware of this fact. 68% of study participants said that visual examination constitutes the initial stage in the identification process for unidentified bodies while 8% of study participants said that DNA fingerprinting constitutes the initial stage in the identification process for unidentified bodies. However, 8% of study participants didn’t know anything about this aspect. 72% of dental teaching faculty members agreed to the fact that Barr bodies should be used to determine sex. 89% of study participants responded positively to the question "Can teeth or enamel serve as a tool for determining age?" 11% of study participants did not know that teeth or enamel can serve as a tool for determining age. 41% of study participants had the correct information that FO instruction for bachelor of dental surgery (BDS) students takes place and, as per Dental Council of India (DCI) standards, should be given in both BDS second and third years. Conclusion: The results of the current survey provided information on FO practices among Jharkhand dental institutes' dental faculty. The poll revealed that they have the necessary information, which they must have learned either while studying, participating in continuing dental education, or teaching.