Education in forensic odontology

The present state of education in forensic odontology is surveyed. Courses in the subject within dental schools are directed mainly towards dental students (lectures, seminars, demonstrations), but also towards chairside assistants, dental hygienists and laboratory technicians. Extra-mural postgraduate education is directed towards private practitioners, but includes community dental health officers and colleagues serving in the defence forces; the question of 'qualification' is discussed. Finally, a wide range of non-dental personnel is approached (medical and law students, community health officers, forensic medical experts, police technicians etc.). The authors concur that independent departments of forensic odontology are now needed at all major dental schools; only here can the manpower and the facilities be developed to cope with this wide spectrum of education, and only here can recognized academic positions be ensured for those who--together with other specialists--must handle an increasing extra-mural case load, from which all material for education and research is subsequently to be derived.