The present investigation explored how well dental students and teaching staff in Cyprus understand and apply concepts in forensic odontology. A descriptive, cross-sectional online study was carried out in November 2022 using a modified questionnaire distributed to all members of the European University Cyprus (EUC) School of Dentistry, including both students and faculty. The form gathered demographic details and assessed respondents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practical behaviors regarding the field. A total of 47 faculty and 304 students completed the survey, corresponding to response rates of 66.2% and 80%, respectively. Data were analyzed statistically through Kendall’s tau and chi-square (χ²) tests, while Cramer’s V determined the intensity of any significant association; the significance threshold was fixed at α = 0.05.
According to the analysis, 87% of staff and 65% of students were aware of forensic odontology. In addition, 94% of faculty and 85% of students recognized teeth as reliable DNA sources. Likewise, 98% of faculty and 89% of students understood the role of forensic odontology in identifying both deceased persons and offenders. Awareness of age estimation using dental eruption was found in 85% of staff and 81.6% of students. Among professionals, 80% of faculty reported that they routinely maintain dental records, while 78% of students agreed on the importance of record-keeping for care quality. Furthermore, 57% of students and 64% of faculty knew that dentists may act as expert witnesses. A large majority—95.7% of faculty and 85% of students—linked physical injury, scarring, or behavioral changes with possible child abuse.
The overall pattern suggests high awareness across both groups. The findings highlight the need for faculty participation in specialized workshops and for reinforcing documentation standards to ensure forensic utility. These outcomes point toward strategies for curriculum enhancement in Cyprus, supporting professional growth and accurate dental record management for forensic purposes.
