The teaching of forensic dentistry: a status report

A survey was conducted to assess the current status of instruction and curricular content in forensic dentistry in United States dental schools. The dean of each of the 60 dental schools was asked to describe the formal teaching program in forensic dentistry in the predoctoral, postgraduate, resident, and continuing education curriculum. Faculty characteristics and the relationship of the faculty to extramural organizations dealing with forensic science were analyzed. Results indicate that 42 percent of the respondents do not offer formal courses in forensic dentistry at any level of dental education. The remaining 58 percent offer courses that are primarily didactic in nature. The diagnostic dental science departments are responsible for the organization and administration of forensic dental courses at the majority of respondent schools. A significant number of faculty teaching forensic dentistry hold advanced degrees in medicine and law, as well as other disciplines. Although forensic dental faculty are trained to assist law enforcement agencies, their consulting services are not generally used to the fullest extent. Based on the results of this survey, a series of recommendations for structuring the forensic science curriculum in dental schools is offered.