Dental status among fisher folk communities: a clinical study and its role in forensic dentistry

ABSTRACT

AIM: To assess the dental findings among fishermen communities residing in the coastal areas of Edakkad and Muzhappilangad, Kannur, Kerala, South India, and the feasibility of using these findings for identification of the subjects in forensic investigation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty males of age group 30-35 years were selected- two groups of 20 each from two fishermen communities and one control group of 10 from the non- fishermen population. The parameters included in the study were work procedure, smoking, tobacco chewing, alcohol consumption, attrition, cervical abrasion, macrodontia, incisal notching, dental caries and facial features. For statistical analysis was used chi-square test. RESULTS: All the parameters were significantly more in the study groups compared to the controls. CONCLUSION: Further research is suggested to identify other factors which may influence the outcome of forensic investigation.