In the aftermath of the tragic Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad, charred remains posed a grim challenge. That’s when Dr. Jayasankar P. Pillai, a forensic dentist at B.J. Medical College, along with MDS students, stepped up—extracting DNA from teeth, which withstand extreme heat, to help identify victims quickly.
This isn’t just about teeth—it’s about restoring identities, bringing closure to grieving families.
Under the harsh summer sun, they worked around the clock, ensuring no one remains nameless.
As Dr. Pillai says, “Dental DNA is the fastest way to identify the dead”—and in this moment of tragedy, dentistry became a bridge between science and compassion .
Let’s take a moment to appreciate this profound, yet often-overlooked role of dental professionals in disaster management.
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Dental identification of victims