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Dental experts provide testimony and information in legal proceedings on matters of dentistry. They explain concepts or interpret facts with knowledge that the average person does not possess. They testify in civil and criminal courts, offering expert opinions on medical records, forensics, or other areas of specialty in the field. Dental experts are commonly called in civil malpractice cases and product liability cases. They also appear in criminal trials, where they offer expert opinions on dental evidence and forensic dentistry. Dental experts must have a strong professional record and provide complete and accurate testimony to maintain their credibility.
A dental expert provides testimony and information in legal proceedings on matters of dentistry. Like all appraisers, dental experts explain concepts or interpret facts with knowledge that the average person does not possess. Used in both civil and criminal courts, dental experts usually testify on medical records, forensics, or other areas of specialty in the field.
It is very common for dental experts to be called in civil malpractice cases. In these circumstances, the plaintiff’s attorney may call the witness to explain how another dentist’s actions were harmful. For example, if the dentist did not follow a proper treatment protocol or missed an obvious complication, the dental expert will explain this to the judge and/or jury. Conversely, the defense can use the expert to explain why the dentist acted correctly or was not negligent. In both situations, each party trusts the expert’s testimony to have enough leverage to help win the case.
Dental experts also appear in civil court for larger cases involving product liability. In these cases, an injured party can sue a manufacturer or supplier of devices that are alleged to be causing damage. A dental expert could testify for either side by backing up the plaintiff’s claims with medical knowledge or by helping the defense prove that no harm was caused.
Lawyers also employ dental experts in criminal trials. In cases where dental evidence is important, the witness will offer an expert opinion to try to sway the jury or judge. For example, he considers an assault trial in which the alleged perpetrator bit the victim. The prosecutor would use the expert to compare the defendant’s dental records with the bite pattern. The defense could also use an expert to challenge the prosecutor’s testimony, offer an alternative explanation for the incident, or argue that the injury was not serious.
In more complex criminal cases, for example, a forensic dentistry expert may be called to testify on human remains where identification of a victim is only possible through medical records. The expert can also recreate dental features, such as jaw structure, or help support an argument about the cause of death based on autopsy results or crime scene evidence. Expert forensic dentists are highly trained professionals; not all dental experts are qualified to testify about these intricate criminal matters.
While the term dental expert implies that the expert will testify in court, this is not always the case. Some dental experts simply provide background information for attorneys or provide a written and affidavit about the evidence in a case or testify in an out-of-court deposition. The expert can also help police detectives build their case by suggesting specific lines of questioning. The expert may also provide dental exams or interpret documents, and attorneys will use the information in court without necessarily calling the dental expert to testify in person.
A person must first earn a dental degree to become a dental technician. Opponent attorneys often question qualifications and experience in order to undermine testimony, so expert dental witnesses must build a strong professional record. Complete and accurate testimony is also a requirement, as attorneys will use any prior dishonesty or inaccurate testimony to undermine the credibility of the dental expert.
