Introduction to Forensic Dentistry and Training Programs
- Forensic dentistry involves handling, examining, and evaluating dental evidence in a criminal justice context.
- It is used in both criminal and civil law.
- Forensic dentists assist in identifying human remains, particularly in cases with limited identifying information.
- They determine age, race, occupation, dental history, and socioeconomic status of unidentified individuals.
- Radiographs, photographs, DNA analysis, and bite marks are used as evidence.
- India offers certificate courses, fellowship programs, and masters degree programs in forensic odontology.
- Australia has postgraduate diploma programs available at universities like The University of Melbourne and The University of Western Australia.
- Belgium offers a masters program in Forensic Odontology at KU Leuven.
- The United Kingdom offers MSc and Masters programs in Forensic Dentistry and Forensic Odontology at the University of Dundee.
- The United States has odontology training programs at The University of Texas Health Science at San Antonio and the University of Tennessee.

Forensic Odontology in Canada
- Dental school candidates in Canada are required to complete a BA or at least three years of study in a BA program before obtaining a dental degree.
- There are no graduate study programs specifically for forensic odontology in Canada.
- Dental degrees given in Canada include DDS (doctor of dental science) and DMD (doctor of dental medicine).
- Canadians can certify for the ABFO, a section of the American Academy of Forensic Science, which involves an examination and a career checklist of accomplishments.
- Ontario has a group of 10 forensic dentists known as the Province of Ontario Dental Identification Team (PODIT).

High-profile Criminal Cases
- Forensic odontology played a key role in the Salem Witch Trials, the Gorringe case in 1948, the Doyle v. State case in 1954, People v. Marx in 1975, and other cases involving Fredrik Fasting Torgersen, Wayne Boden, Ted Bundy, Jesse Timmendequas, and Ray Krone.

Organizations in Forensic Odontology
- Several organizations are dedicated to forensic odontology, including the American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO), American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS), and International Association for Identification (IAI).
- The ABFO offers certification for forensic odontologists.
- The AAFS holds scientific sessions and workshops on identification, civil litigation, age determination, and bite-mark analysis.
- The IAI also provides resources and training for forensic odontology.

Importance of Forensic Odontology and International Collaboration
- Forensic odontology plays a crucial role in identifying human remains and assisting in disaster victim identification.
- Bite mark analysis is another area where forensic odontology is utilised.
- Forensic odontology can provide valuable evidence in criminal investigations.
- Various international organizations promote collaboration in forensic odontology, such as IOFOS and AFOHR.
- International conferences and workshops are held to exchange knowledge and advancements, and collaboration between different countries' forensic odontology societies is encouraged.