A qualified doctor who practices dentistry does research and is an investigator is known as an odontologist. Odontology is the study of the use of dental science to locate missing people, human remains, bite marks, etc.
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Duties of a Dentist?
An odontologist performs the following tasks:
- Depending on the function, there will be between 5–10% travel both domestically and abroad.
- Follow cases closely as they develop, create databases for future use, and produce reports on dental coding, age estimation, and bite mark trends.
- Utilize technology, such as radiography and photography, to aid in the post-mortem recording and evaluation of dental remains.
- Assist law enforcement in locating the victims of homicides, and large-scale fatalities from incidents like plane crashes, or other calamities.
Utilizing your specialized knowledge of the anatomy of the human mouth, you may also double as an expert medical examiner and compile evidence from different sources to identify victims.
Your advice and compiled data might help police authorities narrow down their list of suspects. While examining the body, you will make note of aspects such as dental impressions, dental charting, x-rays, photographs, and any other information that is relevant for identification.
Job Scheduling
Due to the nature of their practice, odontologists do not have set working hours. Many people are required to work longer hours in order to finish a task by the deadline. You might need to go to the crime scene or another place to gather samples for additional examination while you are aiding law enforcement agencies with current investigations. Additionally, you can measure the dental area and take x-rays in a lab setting.
No matter what time of day it is, if you work in forensics, you must always be prepared and available. It is common for labor to continue into the evenings, weekends, and holidays. Because of this, it’s essential to be precise, effective, and detail-oriented. You must feel at ease working in emotionally demanding circumstances because visiting sensitive places like crime scenes and medical examiner’s offices can be difficult.
Expansion of the Job
Positive career opportunities are available in the dentistry field, especially given the salary scale since 2010. By 2024, there will be 23,300 more jobs in this industry, with an estimated rise of 18%, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics. Professionals with expertise in complicated dental procedures like dental bridges and implants will be in higher demand.
Common Employers
Dental schools, hospitals, clinics, and medical examiners’ offices frequently employ odontologists. One could also operate as an independent contractor for district attorneys, coroners, law companies, and police forces, depending on the demand.
How To Be A Dental Surgeon
Only after completing a regular four-year program leading to a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree may you work as an odontologist. A master’s degree can be earned in 1 to 4 years or a doctorate can be earned in 3 to 4 years, depending on the specialty you pick.
You will have the opportunity to become familiar with the technical and medical aspects of oral hygiene during the course of this program, as well as how to conduct routine dental examinations, give anesthetics, comprehend x-rays, and carry out a number of diagnostic procedures.
You must have earned a bachelor’s degree in a field related to this one, such as biochemistry or neurology, before applying for the degree. You can also earn advanced qualifications from institutions like the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology or the American Academy of Forensic Science.
Your credentials might be further advanced by earning a prestigious diploma from the American Board of Forensic Odontology. In America, maintaining your license requires continuing education, which varies by state and can take anywhere from 12 to 30 hours each year.
If you decide to become an odontologist, you will be committing to horrible sights that demand mental fortitude and a cool head. This might not be the best option for you if you get queasy easily. For those who are intrigued by the idea of advancing criminal justice while also pursuing their medical careers, this is a fantastic opportunity.
Odontologist Salary Statistics
The pay and growth information on this page is based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that was just released. The average national salary is $93,730 while their average hourly wage is $45.
