Assessing the Awareness and Attitude of Egyptian Dentists Toward Forensic Odontology practices

Abstract

Introduction: Forensic odontology (FO) is crucial in forensic medicine. Aim: This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to FO among Egyptian dentists. Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire via Google Forms. It consisted of thirty-four questions and included responses from 122 dentists. Results: 66.9% did not know about FO, and 99.2% thought their knowledge about it was deficient. 70.8% were willing to enroll in postgraduate or diploma programs in FO. 80% of the practitioners thought Egypt had insufficient forensic science education resources. 57.9% maintained dental records in their clinics. The mean knowledge score was 9.31 ± 2.65. The mean attitude score was 3.02 ± 1.14. The mean practice score was 8.34 ± 3.88. Knowledge level was categorized as “low” in 39.3%, “moderate” in 36.1%, and “high” in 24.6% of respondents. Attitude scores were negative in one-third of participating dentists (32.0%) and positive in 40.2%, with the remainder being neutral. 99.2% had a low practice score. No statistically significant correlation was found between participants’ demographic data and their knowledge or attitude scores. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant challenges facing the field of forensic odontology in Egypt. Low levels of knowledge and practice among Egyptian dentists, the absence of a dedicated FO course in undergraduate dentistry programs, and the reluctance to pursue a career in forensic dentistry. Nevertheless, many participants expressed interest in further FO training, suggesting that educational interventions could enhance knowledge, even if FO remains a less popular career path