Education

The Master of Forensic Odontology offers holders of a degree in dentistry the opportunity to specialise in the multifaceted field of forensic odontology and dental law. Students complete a curriculum of 60 ECTS including courses in medical forensics, biomedicine and law and a Master's thesis. The programme combines the legal, clinical, methodological, and social elements of forensic odontology with hands-on practical training. Graduates of this advanced Master's programme are prepared for the challenging work of forensic dentistry. This programme can also be taken part-time.

Profile

The candidate should have an interest for science, be eager to learn, have a critical mind, be accurate and have an eye for detail, be able to work in teams, be communicative and social, have a good knowledge of English, be able to analyse and synthesise problems, be in good mental and physical health and be able to cope with highly stressful situations, be able to concentrate and make decisions, have knowledge of basic science such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, and be proficient in dental science.

Objectives

The academic programme, spread over one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study (60 ECTS in total) involves theory-based courses, self-study, pre-clinics and demonstrations in the field of forensic dentistry.
In particular, the programme will provide insight into specialty techniques and their scientific background in forensic odontology.
The advanced Master's programme in Forensic Odontology is distinguished from the initial Master's programme by its evidence-based and research-oriented teaching, its multidisciplinary and integrated case analysis and its comprehensive approach to identification.
The programme also stress the multidisciplinary interaction between forensic medicine, judicial bodies, insurance companies, etc. Graduates will have the ability to critically engage the scientific literature, understand experimental methodologies, carry out statistical analysis and interpret results. Students will also participate in clinical and laboratory-based research as part of the advanced Master's curriculum.

This programme can be combined with the PhD, which entails at least four years of training

After graduation

The demand for forensic dental experts in the legal world is rising. Graduates of the programme will be prepared to assist in the identification of victims or suspected criminals based on forensic evidence. Forensic dentistry plays an important yet underdeveloped role in the Belgian legal context. For dental professionals seeking careers in forensic odontology, this programme is extremely useful.