Awareness of forensic odontology among undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate dental students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A knowledge-, attitude-, and practice-based study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of forensic odontology among undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate dental students at Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, institution-based survey study conducted among 400 dental students, which included 220 undergraduates, eighty interns, sixty graduates, and forty postgraduates aged, between 18 and 28 years. A self-administered structured questionnaire written in English and Arabic language was given to all willing student participants. Questionnaire included KAP criteria based along with demographic data. Statistical data were analyzed using Chi-square test. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of postgraduates, 42% of graduates, and 40.9% of the undergraduates were aware that teeth serve as a source of DNA. Ninety-five percent of the participants were aware that forensic dentistry helps to investigate criminals and dead persons. About 72% of the undergraduates and 77.5% of postgraduates were aware that forensic odontology helps in identification of deceased person's age and gender in mass disasters using dental records. About 62.73% of the undergraduates were unaware of the job opportunities in forensic dentistry in Saudi Arabia and 97.5% of the participants revealed that forensic dentistry was not included as part of the curriculum in undergraduate and postgraduate dental courses. About 93.2% of the undergraduate and 83.4% of graduate dental students agreed that they lack knowledge about forensic dentistry. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed inadequate knowledge, poor attitude, and lack of practice of forensic odontology among undergraduate and graduate dental students than the postgraduates.