title: Exploring trends in forensic odontology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Forensic odontology nowadays has become a developing science and is of great importance to society. It is important that dental practitioners should have a proper knowledge of forensics as the need has increased greatly over the last decades due to the unprecedented demand from the criminal justice including terrorism in Kashmir valley (J&K India).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data was collected based on questionnaire survey among qualified dental practitioners related to their awareness of forensic odontology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total number of 235 dental practitioners responded to the questionnaire. RESULTS showed that there was a low confidence, in handling of forensic odontology related cases among dental practitioners and majority of dental practitioners were not having any formal training in forensic odontology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Each dental practitioner has a responsibility to understand the forensic implications associated with the practice of his profession and thus he should work sincerely enough so to ensure his contribution in the field of forensic odontology.
authors: Professor & Head, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Kothiwal Dental College & Research Centre , Moradabad, U.P, India .
authors: Narendra Nath
authors: NN
authors: Singh
authors: Post Graduate Student, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Kothiwal Dental College & Research Centre , Moradabad, U.P, India .
authors: Owais
authors: O
authors: Gowhar
authors: Post Graduate Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Kothiwal Dental College & Research Centre , Moradabad, U.P, India .
authors: Tasneem S
authors: TS
authors: Ain
authors: Post Graduate Student, Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, Kothiwal Dental College & Research Centre , Moradabad, U.P, India .
authors: Saima
authors: S
authors: Sultan
keywords: Bite marks; Child abuse; Dental practitioners; Mass disaster
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