Original Article NJIRM 2020 Vol.11(2) March-April eISSN: 0975-9840 pISSN: 2230 - 9969 64 Digitization Of Dental Records And Its Application In Forensic & Legal Perspective: Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Among The Dentists In West Bengal Arjun Kundu*, Lakshmi Sai Sneha Nedunuri *, Avaish Chand*, Abraham Johnson** *PG Student, M.Sc. Forensic Odontology,**Assistant Professor, Laboratory of Forensic Odontology, Institute of Forensic Science, Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat Abstract: Background: Stepping into the twenty-first century, the computer technology has become an integral part of the clinical practice of dentistry. Dental practitioners should have thorough knowledge of dental records as it has a legal and forensic implication with respect to identification of missing and deceased individuals, settlement of insurance claims, etc. Aim: The aim of the present study is to assess and evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of accurate dental records and the need of digitization among the dentists. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 242 dentists from West Bengal with relevant questions focusing on awareness of dental record maintenance, its importance and its need for digitization. The data were summarized and were subjected for descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Only 65.7% of dentists maintained dental records regularly in their clinical practice. 37.2% were aware about the time-period for maintaining dental record and 64.9 % were aware that they have a professional and a legal obligation to maintain clinically relevant, accurate dental records of patients. Lastly, 82.6% preferred in digitizing & archiving dental records. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a need of proper awareness of dental records & its maintenance among fellow dentists. Also, it demonstrates the trend towards increased adoption of digital platforms for dental record management. [Kundu A Natl J Integr Res Med, 2020; 11(2):64-69] Key Words: Dental Records, Digital Patient Records, Forensic Odontology, Medicolegal practices, Survey, Dentists Author for correspondence: Dr. Abraham Johnson, Laboratory of Forensic Odontology, Institute of Forensic Science, Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. E-Mail: drabrahamJohnson4000@yahoo.com Introduction: The dental record is an official and a legal document owned by the dentist comprising of general information of a patient, that includes diagnostic and clinical information, treatment performed and patient-related communications, and also consent to any treatment 1 . It also contains detailed information of the patient’s general health, as well as dental status and any patients’ concerns and requests 2 . With increase in awareness of legal issues and cases of malpractices, having a thorough knowledge of dental records is essential for a dental practitioner. The ability of clinical practitioners to produce and maintain accurate dental records is also essential for good quality patient care 3 . Dental records can also be used for the purpose of forensic investigations, mainly for personal identification in cases of mass disasters & criminal profiling, as well as in medico-legal matters 4 . Record maintenance is legally mandatory in the American and European countries, but in India there is ignorance among the dentists with most of them maintaining a poor quality or no dental record at all 5 . With the advancement of digitization in dentistry, the “digital dental record”, can be useful with paperless charting system done on odontogram, with proper diagnostic, correspondence and financial records, further scheduling and so on. Later the recorded and saved data can be easily accessed by the doctor or staff members from any workstation 6, 7 . Thus, the aim of the study is to assess the awareness and the knowledge of the dentists from West Bengal regarding its importance in forensic & legal perspective and a need for digitization through questionnaire survey. Material & Methods: Study Design and Sample: A questionnaire survey was conducted among randomly chosen 300 dentists in West Bengal district, India. The dentists were approached and explained about the purpose of study telephonically, 242 of them gave verbal participatory consent and fixed the schedule with investigator. A self–reported, validated pretested close-ended questionnaire in English language was employed after pilot survey. The questionnaire comprised of 15 questions to assess the KAP of practicing dentists (Table-1).