Education in forensic odontology

1. Education in forensic odontology Tore Solheim 2010

2. A specialty? • Necessary • Intensive studies for years • Good practical training • Expensive • Increase income • Forensic odontology • Few cases • Few full time employments • Little money to earn – hobby? • Few dentists interested • Few educational programs • Must learn the tutorial way

3. Who are forensic odontologists? • Everyone can call himself • Mislead prosecution and defense in court • Accepted experts/specialists • USA and Finland • Other – Nothing? • Difficult to argue for formal special education • What do the police? • Ask a forensic odontologist • Ask the dental school • Ask their own dentist

4. We need a sort of formal recognition • Better FO service • A system for formal education • Officially recognized experts • By published lists • By formal diploma • Forensic science organizations • Forensic odontology organisations (IOFOS) • National forensic odontology organisations • Dental associations • State

5. Teaching in forensic odontology • Undergraduate • Most schools – nothing • Lectures for orientation • Oslo: 3 days of forensic odontology, jurisprudence and ethics • Practical exercises in • Identification • Anthropology • Injury case – expert vileness- court case • Seminars – ethical problems • Own contribution – record keeping, jurisprudence and injury cases • Encourage undergraduate teaching in FO

6. Post graduate teaching • One or two days courses • One to two weeks courses • This – the only one in Europe • For the military dentists in Norway • In the US • Diploma courses • One to two years • Basic biologic knowledge • Excellent start of a scientific career • Practical competency

7. Diploma courses • Cardiff, England, (David Whittaker) • Leuven, Belgium, (Guy Willems) • Melbourne, Australia (John Clement) • Vancouver, Canada (David Sweet) • Montreal, Canada (Richard Dorion) • Internet based

8. Forensic odontology • Many experts • No formal training or education • No scientific background • Diplomas are private papers • We need official recognition • National societies, IOFOS?? • Dental associations, Health authorities?? • At least one year education • Practical training • Reading of literature • Scientific project • Final examination • Read at home?

9. Thank you for your attention