training trainers in teaching forensic odontology

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hands-on workshops, and certificate courses initiated across the country. Oral Implantology, aesthetic dentistry, laser application and lingual orthodontics are ...
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TRAINING TRAINERS IN TEACHING FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY

Dentistry in India has seen some major changes in the new century. The profession has taken to new and emerging trends and specialties with enthusiasm, and this is reflected in the number of continual dental education programmes, hands-on workshops, and certificate courses initiated across the country. Oral Implantology, aesthetic dentistry, laser application and lingual orthodontics are some of the prominent leading edge practices that have captured the imagination of clinicians and are sought after by practitioners of the dental craft. Forensic dentistry, or forensic odontology, has also emerged as a specialty keenly followed by many, especially Oral Pathologists and Oral Physicians and Radiologists. Interest in this burgeoning field extends also to Paediatric Dentists, Endodontists, and Orthodontists. Due to the unavailability of full-fledged courses in the area, one is compelled to pursue courses abroad, and foreign-qualified specialists have also emerged in the last decade. With the introduction of forensic odontology in the undergraduate curriculum, its teaching to undergraduate students is now necessary. Its coverage in the curriculum is basic, and that is all that is required at the bachelor level. The Dental Council of India’s (DCI) curricular guidelines for forensic dentistry parallel those in foreign countries such as Australia, Norway, and Malaysia. Approximately 10 hours of didactics and a similar amount for practical exercises is deemed sufficient. This provides basic information to dental students, enabling them to gain a perspective on the application of dental tissues to forensic investigation and legal aspects. The inclusion of the subject, however, has also thrown up a unique challenge-while faculty are keen to teach students in the subject, faculty members may themselves lack

e-Journal of Dentistry Oct - Dec 2011 Vol 1 Issue 4

sufficient expertise and know-how on the subject. Although forensic dental specialists would be in a position to comfortably handle the subject, they are not even a handful of such qualified personnel in the country. Hence, its teaching will need to be initiated by non-specialists. It is for this very reason that forensic odontology has not been introduced as a separate subject at the undergraduate level, rather, it has been dichotomised between Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine and Radiology. The logic being that aspects of forensic dentistry dealing with the application of tooth morphology and histology are covered under oral pathology, while those covering clinical applications and radiology fall within oral medicine and radiology. The latter requires that students have some basic clinical experience, and it is preferable that it is covered in the final year. Depending on the manner in which the concerned university adopts and adapts the DCI curricular guidelines, Oral Pathologists and/or Oral Physicians may be expected to undertake teaching of the subject. An issue now faced is adequate and appropriate training for the concerned faculty to teach the subject. And here is where faculty training programmes in diverse formats are essential. Beginning with lecture series by specialists wherein faculty are sensitised to the basics of the course, are provided course material, and progressing to organising hands-on workshops wherein faculty obtain first-hand simulation experience in some of the most important issues concerning practical training of students, colleges must make a concerted effort to provide necessary exposure to their faculty members. The training must include the major areas of forensic dentistry, including post-mortem comparative dental identification, post-mortem reconstructive identification, age estimation in the living, bite mark investigation, and perhaps dental jurisprudence.

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Ashith B. Acharya

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Within each department or college, one member of faculty may be designated as the in-charge for teaching forensic odontology. With regards who should be designated as such an in-charge, this can vary and may depend on the experience and interest of the concerned faculty member(s). Having obtained additional know-how, the designated faculty members may then venture into basic forensic research. Research in itself is an excellent method of educating oneself, while also testing diverse concepts and theories in a particular field. It is encouraging to see an increase in research output in forensic dentistry in India, with numerous publications in well-established peer-reviewed journals of relatively high impact factor. It is also encouraging to see the interest shown by numerous dental colleges-both private and governmentin organising training programmes for existing and future faculty (postgraduate students). The seeds of training trainers in teaching forensic odontology has slowly but surely been sowed. Let us now nurture it to collectively enjoy the fruits. Dr. Ashith B. Acharya, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Forensic Odontology, SDM College of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Sattur, Dharwad – 580009 Karnataka. Tel: +91-836-2468142 (Ext. 115 & 503) Mob: +91-9880192052 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

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