Assessing the Professional Knowledge of Dentists about the Importance of Forensic Dentistry: A Survey-Based Study

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Published Dec 27, 2025
https://doi.org/10.70436/nuijb.v4i02.394
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Vol. 4 No. 02 (2025): June

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Palwasha Seraj
Kabul University
Shegofa Tawana
Kabul University
Mohammad Taqi Anwari
Kabul University
Ehsanullah Alemi
Kabul University

Abstract

The most common application of forensic odontology, a crucial and essential component of forensic science, is the identification of both living and deceased individuals. Although this field has developed in many parts of the world, it is still at a very early stage in Afghanistan. There are no formal studies or training programs for dentists regarding forensic dentistry. This study aims to evaluate the understanding of forensic dentistry among dentists in Kabul. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 2024 among doctors at the Ali Abad Dentistry Teaching Hospital and the Stomatology National Curative and Specialized Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. A convenience sampling method was used to choose the participants. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted between June and July 2024, among dentists of two governmental dental hospitals (Ali Abad stomatology Teaching Hospital and the Stomatology National Curative and Specialized Hospital) in Kabul, Afghanistan. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling method and the sample compromised dental practitioner from both hospitals. The collected data were entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The questionnaire was distributed to 119 doctors; a total of 64 doctors returned the completed forms (response rate 53.7%). When asked whether forensic dentistry is a branch of dentistry, 55 dentists (89.5%) responded affirmatively. Regarding the accuracy of age estimation based on tooth eruption, 54.6% of participants thought it to be moderately accurate. A majority (78.1%) agreed that bite marks can play a role in establishing identity. This study revealed that dentists in these two governmental dental hospitals possess a limited overall understanding and awareness of forensic dentistry. Although the majority of participants acknowledged the importance of forensic dentistry in age estimation and medico-legal investigations.

Keywords

Dentists, Forensic, Dentistry, Knowledge, Survey

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Author Biographies

Palwasha Seraj, Kabul University

Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Stomatology, Kabul University of Medical Science, Kabul, Afghanistan

Shegofa Tawana, Kabul University

Department of Endodontics and Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Stomatology, Kabul University of Medical Science, Kabul, Afghanistan

Mohammad Taqi Anwari, Kabul University

Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Stomatology, Kabul University of Medical Science, Kabul, Afghanistan

Ehsanullah Alemi, Kabul University

Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Stomatology, Kabul University of Medical Science, Kabul, Afghanistan

How to Cite
Seraj, P., Tawana, S., Anwari, M. T., & Alemi, E. (2025). Assessing the Professional Knowledge of Dentists about the Importance of Forensic Dentistry: A Survey-Based Study. Nangarhar University International Journal of Biosciences, 4(02), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.70436/nuijb.v4i02.394

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