the level of knowledge and awareness on forensic significance of dental records between the rural and urban areas in selangor: A comparative study Ahmad Nurhidayu1, Md Shariff Nadiah Syariani1, Weinheimer Anita Zara1,,* 1Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management & Science University, Malaysia *Corresponding Author Anita Zara Weinheimer Department of Diagnostic & Allied Health Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management & Science University, 40100, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, Email: anita_zara@msu.edu.my
Online published on 1 May, 2020. Abstract Forensic odontology plays an important role in personal identification of the living and the deceased. Thus, dental records are a crucial component which serves as an information source for the forensic odontologist. This study was aimed to evaluate the difference in the level of knowledge and awareness about the forensic significance of dental records among the population of rural and urban areas of Selangor. A crosssectional study was conducted by using convenient sampling technique with a sample size of 560. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on the data obtained from this study using SPSS version 25. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts; demographic questions (part A), level of knowledge (part B) and level of awareness (part C). Statistical analysis revealed that there were significant difference between knowledge and awareness level in the population under study (p<0.00). The level of knowledge and awareness in urban area was higher as compared to rural area. As a result of poor knowledge and awareness level in rural area, the subjects become less mindful of their dental care. This research has shown a significance difference between urban and rural dweller's level of knowledge and awareness as well as highlighting the importance of dental records in forensic. The significance of this research is people who are living in both rural and urban areas finds the importance of dental records that can helps the forensic odontology in future especially during the mass disaster. Top Keywords Dental records, Forensic Odontology, Knowledge, Awareness, Rural, Urban. Top |