Knowledge, Attitude and Perception Among Undergraduate Dental Students on Rugoscopy

Abstract

Rugoscopy, the study of palatal rugae, has emerged as a valuable tool in forensic odontology. Despite its importance, there is a paucity of literature on the knowledge, attitude, and perception of undergraduate dental students towards rugoscopy. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of undergraduate dental students on rugoscopy. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 245 undergraduate dental students. The results showed that although the students had a positive attitude towards rugoscopy, their knowledge on the subject was limited. The majority of the students (80%) believed that rugoscopy is an essential tool in forensic odontology, but only 30% could correctly identify the different types of palatal rugae. The study highlights the need for incorporating comprehensive education on rugoscopy in the undergraduate dental curriculum. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 245 dental students, comprising 84 males (38.89%) and 161 females (61.11%), including, 72 third-year BDS students, 99 final year BDS students and 74 interns. The survey included 14 questions regarding Rugoscopy. Responses were analysed based on gender and year of study using chi-square test, p value to identify statistical significant differences.