title: A questionnaire survey on forensic odontology: Are we really aware?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of a dentist is not only to examine and treat the oral diseases but also to assist the legal authorities by means of its branch-forensic odontology. Through forensic odontology, a dentist plays a very important role in crime investigation of any type.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the knowledge, awareness, and interest of forensic odontology among the dental teaching staff who are working in the dental colleges within the Delhi NCR.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire of 12 questions (both open-ended and close-ended) was prepared and the survey was conducted with 200 dental teaching staff.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A sufficient knowledge but poor awareness and interest among the dental teaching staff was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study highlighted that although dental teaching staff themselves have sound knowledge regarding forensic odontology, their awareness and interest need to be upgraded on a regular basis. The success of acquiring such extensive knowledge would be valid if better job opportunities in these fields would be increased.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Ankita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahni
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Shweta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rehani
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Yulia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mathias
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Priyanka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kardam
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Ruchi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nagpal
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Rashmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumari
keywords: Awareness; dental teaching staff; forensic odontology; survey