Rohit Shishodia
Prof Mahesh Verma, Vice Chancellor, IP University, Delhi, has stressed the need for upgrading the scope of forensic dentistry. He has said that there is an urgent need to revamp forensic odontology services in India to address many developing issues.

Speaking to DTMT on the sidelines of the 17th National Conference of the Indian Association of Forensic Odontology at Maualna Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS) in Delhi, Prof Verma said “As we are growing in the society, the life is becoming very complex and societies too are becoming complex. Today, we have a society which is multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-ethnic. As we are growing, a lot of crime is also happening. As you grow, simultaneously crime happens, natural calamities happen and violence happens. Forensic odontology has importance to identify people who commit crime.”

Dr Verma is a former director and principal of MAIDS. He added that the most crucial part of forensic odontology is that the teeth are the hardest structure of the body. Everything vanishes but teeth do not.  "All people have unique teeth. Not from now, for centuries, teeth have been used to identify people. Forensic odontology has special area and it has potential. Till date, there was less awareness," he said.

“Forensic odontology has crucial role in age estimation. It has tremendous utilities. if some one has lost his documents, how can his age be known? It can only be ascertained by forensic odontology. If some one claims he is a juvenile, this can also be ascertained by forensic odontology,” said Prof Verma.

Prof Verma explained, “Dental Council of India has recognized forensic odontology as a new specialty. Earlier, it was learned with other specialties. This conference will showcase new technologies and new treatment methods that are being adopted across the  globe.”

Speaking about the conference, Dr J Augustine, Organizing Secretary of the conference, said, “The motive of the mega event is to get all forensic odontoligsts together and integrate with other disciplines of forensic sciences to improve services, identify people and spread awareness in judiciary and police.”