Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40314907›Full record

ArticleForensic science, medicine, and pathology2025

Exploring global demographics of professionals in forensic odontology: a pilot study.

Nikolaos Angelakopoulos, Rizky Merdietio Boedi, Nikita Polukhin, Galina Zolotenkova, Akiko Kumagai, Sudheer Babu Balla

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Forensic science, medicine, and pathology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
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  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Nikolaos AngelakopoulosDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 7, 3010, Bern, Switzerland. nikolaos.angelakopoulos@unibe.ch.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8511-4645
Rizky Merdietio BoediDepartment of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5045-6773
Nikita PolukhinDepartment of Public Health and Medical Social Sciences, Synergy University, Moscow, Russian Federation.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9540-5793
Galina ZolotenkovaDepartment of Forensic Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1764-2213
Akiko KumagaiDivision of Forensic Odontology and Disaster Oral Medicine, Department of Forensic Science, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3021-4443
Sudheer Babu BallaLa Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0977-3889

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Forensic odontology (FO) plays a crucial role in legal and humanitarian investigations, providing expert testimony and contributing to disaster victim identification (DVI). However, comprehensive global data on the demographics, distribution, and professional activities of forensic odontologists (FOs) remain limited. This pilot study aimed to explore the global landscape of FO by examining the demographic profiles, geographic distribution, professional engagement, and career trajectories of practitioners in the field. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a 26-item self-administered online questionnaire developed via Microsoft Forms. The survey, comprising both open-ended and multiple-choice questions, was disseminated globally to FOs and FO students through WhatsApp®, LinkedIn®, ResearchGate®, and professional associations' email lists. A total of 206 qualified FOs and students participated in the study. The results indicated that 40.3% of respondents practice in regions where FO is formally recognized as a specialty, with notable regional disparities. Although a significant proportion reported involvement in forensic casework, 27.7% expressed dissatisfaction with the level of support and professional recognition. One of the most pressing barriers identified was the absence of FO in undergraduate dental curricula and the limited availability of specialized training programs. The survey also underscored the diverse professional roles of FOs, including participation in court proceedings, mass disaster response, and forensic research. Key challenges reported by respondents included limited recognition of the field (21.8%), restricted career opportunities (18.4%), and inadequate access to training resources (13.1%). Additionally, specific technical challenges-such as bite mark analysis and dental age estimation-were highlighted as areas requiring further attention. This study offers valuable insights into the geographic distribution and professional scope of FOs, providing a foundation for future research with expanded outreach to ensure a more globally representative sample.

Indexed as

Forensic DentistryAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPilot ProjectsSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultCommunity surveyDemographicsForensic dentistryProfessional competence

Identifiers

PMID40314907
PMCPMC12799691

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.