The first step in becoming a board certified forensic dentist is to complete a four-year program at an accredited American Dental Association dental school. A DDS or DMD degree is required for forensic dentistry and many students begin a career as a dentist while still working to complete forensic dental certification. As of January 2011, there are 39 dental schools in the United States, in 24 different states. While some schools stand alone, many major universities such as UCLA, Harvard and University of North Carolina offer dental programs.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is the only US school offering a forensic dental program. The program is classified as a Fellowship in Forensic Odontology offered through the Department of Dental Diagnostic Science. The Fellowship offers a full range of instruction in the core forensic dentistry curriculum including bitemark analysis, recognizing and managing cases of abuse, forensic autopsy, identifying remains and courses designed to prepare the student to eventually serve as an expert witness in court proceedings.
At a cost of $14,500 as of January 2011, the program requires 330 hours of instruction, completed during weekends over a 22-month period. The Fellowship is designed for those actively working in the field who wish to achieve ABFO certification. The Fellowship meets the academic requirements of such certification.
UT-Health Science Center at San Antonio
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
210-567-3379
McGill University in Montreal, Quebec is the only other North American option for an academic program in forensic dentistry. The University's Forensic Dentistry Program is offered through a series of Modules. You can take the first three online and the final two Modules through a week of hands-on lab work for each. As with the UT program, McGill's meets the academic requirements for board certification.
McGill University
Faculty of Dentistry: Forensic Dentistry Program
3640 University Street
Montreal, Quebec H34 2B2
514-398-7203
Upon completion of a forensic dentistry program, a student must contact the American Board of Forensic Odontology and present materials certifying completion of the program and other experience requirements for board certification. Once all materials are confirmed, a student is given two years to complete oral and written examinations, the final step to certification. Upon successful completion of all exams, the student is awarded the title of Diplomate. Recertification is required every five years.