The dentist as expert witness

There are few places of stress more formidable than the witness chair in a court of law. After minutes, hours, days, and perhaps even weeks of testimony have dragged on, expert witnesses can find themselves drained to the point of collapse. Wide latitude is given opposing attorneys in their cross-, direct, and redirect examination of expert witnesses. In the final analysis, the dental witness should be capable of defending his opinion and should be allowed the time and opportunity to prepare for testimony. Recognizing that personal knowledge and qualifications, the reasons for opinions, and other matters on which opinions and sources are based may be subjected to the most rigid cross-examination, the dental expert must be prepared and confident so that jury and/or judge may properly determine the weight to be given expert dental testimony.