title: The dental practitioner's role as an expert witness.
abstract: Dentists of different specialties have been called upon for their expert testimony in dental or related injury cases. These injuries can be due to an auto accident, a fall, professional negligence or injury by an animal. The practitioner is asked to evaluate the injury, write a report and perhaps testify in a deposition or a court of law for a professional opinion. This article is to discuss the role of the dental practitioner in litigation. The dentist-witness' responsibilities, legal protections, the necessary tools to give an opinion, the characteristics of a good expert witness, the demeanor in a deposition and court appearance are discussed.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Abdel-Fattah
mesh_terms: D003815:Dentists; D005104:Expert Testimony; D006801:Humans; D012380:Role