Fellowship in Forensic Odontology

2018-19
SDM College of Dental Sciences & Hospital
Sattur, Dharwad - 580009, Karnataka
Web: www.sdmcds.org; Tel: 0836-2468142

 Offered in India’s First Exclusive Department of Forensic Odontology

 Training by India’s First Qualified & Most Experienced Forensic Dentist
 Cutting-edge Case-based Training Using International Protocols
 Training in State Govt. Recognised Forensic Dentistry Referral Centre
 Distance Education with Week-long Contact Module
 Lectures and Extensive Reading Material; Assessment-based Certification

For details, E-mail: ashith@ashithacharya.com; Mobile: 9880192052; Tel.: 0836-2468142 (Ext. No. 115)
 SDM COLLEGE OF DENTAL SCIENCES & HOSPITAL, DHARWAD, IS
PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE ITS SECOND BATCH OF FELLOWSHIP
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME IN FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY

Background of the College

SDM College of Dental Sciences & Hospital (www.sdmcds.org) is
renowned as an innovator in the field of dental education and
training, and has developed as a leading dental institute in India
since its inception over 30 years ago. The college is credited with
several firsts—the first separate Department of Oral Implantology
in 1993, the first exclusive Department of General Dentistry in
2009, the first Departments of Geriatric Dentistry and Special
Healthcare Needs in 2011, among others.
IT SUPPORT SOLUTIONS
History and Evolution of the Department of Forensic
Odontology
In 2006, the college established India’s first exclusive Department
of Forensic Odontology, headed by internationally educated fo-
 SDM DENTAL COLLEGE RENOWNED AS rensic odontologist Dr. Ashith Acharya—the country’s first quali-
AN INNOVATOR IN DENTAL EDUCATION fied forensic dentist and currently India’s most experienced spe-
 FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY DEPARTMENT cialist in this field (http://www.sdmcds.org/forensicdentry.html).
ESTABLISHED IN 2006
In the 12 years since inception, the department and its faculty has
 KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT RECOG-
produced cutting-edge research, published in top international
NISED THE COLLEGE & DEPARTMENT AS
forensic and dental journals (https://www.researchgate.net/
A STATE REFERRAL CENTRE IN 2010
profile/Ashith_Acharya), and trained dental students, dentists,
 CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH UNDERTAK- police, judges, and forensic medical experts from around the
EN IN THE DEPARTMENT country and beyond.
 DEPARTMENT HAS RICH HISTORY OF
TRAINING DENTISTS, POLICE, JUDGES In 2010, following rigorous scrutiny, SDM College of Dental Sci-
AND FORENSIC MEDICAL SPECIALISTS ences & Hospital was recognised as a ‘State Referral Centre’ for fo-
rensic dental cases by the Government of Karnataka (http://archive.indianexpress.com/story-
print/705087/). Since then, the department has contributed to solving routine as well as high profile foren-
sic odontological, forensic anthropological and dental archaeological cases from around India, including the
‘Nirbhaya’ case from New Delhi and the Annigeri skulls’ mystery from Karnataka (http://
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/Forensic-odontology-department-plays-key-role-in-solving-
crime-cases/articleshow/22562742.cms).

Training in Forensic Odontology

Considering the tremendous interest and curiosity in this branch and the lack of quality training and practi-
cal exposure in forensic odontology among dentists in India, the college and department commenced a
short-term training programme in 2013 with an emphasis on skill-based hands-on exposure. This received
tremendous response, but there were also requests and suggestions from dentists for expanding the train-
ing to include theoretical components and assessments. To cater to this demand, SDM College of Dental
Sciences & Hospital is now offering the Fellowship in Forensic Odontology.

FELLOWSHIP IN FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY — SDM DENTAL COLLEGE

 Karnataka State Referral Centre
for Forensic Odontology Cases
Then Director and Deputy Director of
Medical Education of Karnataka, Dr.
Aruna (extreme left) and Dr. Manju-
nath (2nd from right) visited the col-
lege in January 2010 for a thorough
inspection. Following their recom-
mendation, the Government of Karna-
taka recognised the college as a ‘State
Referral Centre’ for Forensic Dental
Cases

Fellowship in Forensic Odontology 2018-19 shared with the enrolled dentists for their personal
educational use, upon request.
The ‘Fellowship in Forensic Odontology’ is a certifi-
cate training in forensic dentistry and a distance Contact Module
learning programme with contact module. The pro- A contact module of one working week (Monday to
gramme will provide extensive theoretical (distance Saturday, with the latter being a half-day) will be or-
education + didactic lectures) and specific practical ganised at SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad.
know-how (laboratory, pre-solved case-based and ac- The contact module will broadly be divided into two
tive case-based training). It focuses on age estimation components—a ‘basic module’ and an ‘advanced
from dental radiographs, skeletal specimens and module’. The basic module covers lectures and basic
tooth sections, bite mark investigation using digital practical training while the advanced module covers
analysis, sex assessment of dental casts and skeletal pre-solved and active case-based learning integrated
specimens, and population identification using dental with statistics and research methodologies in forensic
casts. odontology. Based on request and depending on de-
mand, the week-long contact programme may also be
In all types of cases/practical exercises, standard in- divided into two modules of three days each instead
ternationally-accepted methods and protocols devel- of one continuous week. (Each of the three days will
oped by Dr. Ashith Acharya and diverse organisations be separated by approx. 3 months.)
are applied; details on a vital aspect of odontological
investigation, namely forensic report writing, are also Approx. 45 hours is devoted to teaching−learning in
covered. the contact programme. While dates for the contact
modules will consider preference/choice of the en-
Reading/reference material will be emailed to the en- rolled dentists, the final discretion regarding schedul-
rolled dentists in about five installments at approx. ing of contact module rests with the College and the
1−2 month intervals. Additional reading/reference Department of Forensic Odontology.
material will be provided during the contact module
in Dharwad; lectures will also be undertaken during Assessment
the contact module. Lectures (with notes) will be The Fellowship certification requires assessment of

FELLOWSHIP IN FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY — SDM DENTAL COLLEGE

theoretical knowledge through conduct of written by police and others agencies; it may also help the
tests (MCQ & essay), and assessment of practical enrolled dentists undertake teaching–learning activi-
training through submission of forensic report writ- ties for students and research in their colleges.
ing. Two types of assessments—the essay and foren-
sic report writing—are home assignments. The en- Intake
rolled dentists will be given sufficient but a specified The Fellowship intake for 2018-19 is limited to 25
amount of time to complete and submit the essay dentists. Each contact module will consist of approx.
and the forensic report writing. The third type of as- 8 dentists only, so as to maximise individual atten-
sessment—the multiple choice question (MCQ) tion and quality training.
test—will be organised on the last day of the contact
module in Dharwad. Overall, the assessment is out of
100 marks. A combined 50% marks from these three Fee
assessments is necessary for pass. Based on satisfac- The Fellowship fee is Rs. 25,000. This excludes any
tory completion of the training during the contact additional expenses incurred by the enrolled dentists
programme as well as the assignments and assess- for travel, accommodation and food during the visit
ments, the successful dentists shall be awarded the to Dharwad for the contact programme.
‘Fellowship in Forensic Odontology’, issued by the
College and the Department of Forensic Odontology. The Certificate
At the end of the programme, the successful dentists
will be awarded a medal and certificate attesting to
How the Fellowship may Help
the work/training undertaken and completed during
The Fellowship gives exposure on some of the most
the Fellowship. The Fellowship certificate issued by
important aspects of forensic odontology in the Indi-
SDM College of Dental Sciences & Hospital and hand
an context. It should provide enrolled dentists more
-signed by the Principal and HoD of Forensic Odon-
knowledge than what the average dentist possesses
tology will also mention that the college is a Govern-
on many of the practical aspects of forensic odontol-
ment of Karnataka recognised State Referral Centre
ogy, and how one may tackle cases that are referred
for forensic dental investiga-
tion. However, the Fellowship
certificate is not an academ-
ic degree and is not recog-
nised by the Dental Council
of India nor the college’s
affiliating university, Rajiv
Gandhi University of Health
Sciences. It is only a certificate
of professional training in Fo-
rensic Odontology.

Note: Additional details on

assessment, travel to and
accommodation in
Dharwad, and other require-
ments, will be provided up-
on confirmation of enrol-
ment.

FELLOWSHIP IN FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY — SDM DENTAL COLLEGE

 Fellowship in Forensic Odontology
2018-19
Application Form
Name (in BLOCK Capitals):
Gender: Male  Female  Date of Birth: 
Address for Correspondence:

City & Pin-code: State:

Telephone: Mobile:
E-mail: Dental Qualification:
State Dental Council Registration No.: Place of Registration:
Contact Module Preference: Continuous 6-day Module  Split Module (3+3 days) 
Payment—DD/Cheque/NEFT No. & Date:
Attestation
I have read the information in the brochure and understood the same. I confirm that all the information provided in this form and the
enclosures are true and complete. I am aware that I may be expelled from the Fellowship Programme or the Fellowship Certificate
awarded may be cancelled at any time should the information provided prove to be incorrect or false. By signing this form I
acknowledge that I am aware that the Fellowship in Forensic Odontology offered by SDM College of Dental Sciences is not recognised
by the Dental Council of India nor Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences.

Signature:……………………………………………………………………………………..Date:.…………………………… Place:…………………………………………………………….

Important
DD/Cheque for Rs. 25,000/- should be made in favour of “Principal, SDM College of Dental Sciences & Hospital”, payable
at Dharwad. Alternatively, a NEFT of Rs. 25,000/- may be made to the following—A/c Name: “Principal, SDM College of
Dental Sciences & Hospital”; A/c No. 12302200001849; IFSC Code: SYNB0001230; A/c Type: Savings Bank; A/c Location:
Syndicate Bank, Sattur Branch, Sattur, Dharwad – 580009.

Please submit the filled and signed application form, along with DD/Cheque and copy of BDS Degree, to the address
below; in addition, please also e-mail the scanned copies of the filled and signed application form and BDS Degree to
the e-mail ID below.

Address for Correspondence:

Dr. Ashith B. Acharya
Department of Forensic Odontology
SDM College of Dental Sciences & Hospital
Sattur, Dharwad - 580009, Karnataka
Tel: 0836-2468142 (Ext. No. 115); Mobile: 9880192052
E-mail: ashith@ashithacharya.com