West case expert to face dental conference

THE man who helped identify the victims of British serial killer Fred West by their teeth as well as the victims of the devastating Asian Tsunami will be one of the main speakers at the Irish Dental Association’s (IDA) annual conference which begins in Cork today.

Forensic dentist and expert witness, Professor David Whittaker’s expertise is often called in for the grim task of identifying dead bodies in murder cases and natural disasters.

The professor of forensic dentistry at the University of Cardiff will address over 500 delegates at the Rochestown Park Hotel on the topic of “Solutions of serious crimes by the skin of your teeth”.

He is expected to explain how forensic dentistry involves the identification of unknown human remains and the analysis of bite marks, which might include identification of a dead body as a result of natural causes, crime or disaster.

Forensic dentistry has, in the past provided evidence of how teeth can be used as weapons in non-accidental injury, grievous bodily harm, rape and murder and how DNA from deposited saliva may link victim and assailant.

The four-day conference is also expected to touch on the issue of the Dental Treatment Service Scheme.

Earlier this month over 92% of IDA members in general practice supported a ballot that the IDA withdraws support for the scheme in general practice pending a satisfactory resolution to the DTSS review.

The ballot was conducted by the IDA on foot of what it described as the failure by the Health Services Executive (HSE) to fully engage in negotiations on all aspects of the DTSS.

Dentists argued the scheme was “on the verge of collapse” because the Department of Health and Health Service Executive would not review the way the scheme is administered nor pay the dentists what they are entitled to.

Health Minister Mary Harney will attend the conference annual dinner on Friday evening where Cork dentist and IDA president Dr John Barry will call on her to fully engage in the renegotiation of the DTSS.

Dr John Barry said: “We will be calling on the Minister for Health, to help ensure that our nation’s most vulnerable citizens continue to have access to dental and oral care via their family dentist. The IDA stands ready to do its part, and we need the Minister for Health and the HSE to work with us in a progressive collaborative manner.”

On the rest of this week’s event he said: “Over the course of the conference health professionals, from all medical disciplines, will learn of the latest techniques to preserve oral health and treat those who suffer from serious oral health problems. It is an honour to host this important event in Cork.”