Roger D Metcalf DDS, JD

Forensic Odontology

and Some Other Stuff

Odontologists--remember we need basic, foundational research in all areas of our discipline. Are our procedures scientifically valid?

Critically examine everything we've been taught. Question the scientific basis of every standard, guideline, best practice, or principle followed.

Keep in mind the quote attributed to W. Edwards Deming: "Without data you are just another person with an opinion." I would add, if you use incorrect data, you are commit forensic malpractice, because, after all: "First, do no harm."

Merely saying "we're following the science" without verifying that the "science" being followed is actually true is the same thing that a religion or cult does.

Roger D Metcalf DDS, JD
PO Box 137442
Fort Worth, TX 76136-1442
ph: +1-817-371-3312
fax: +1-817-378-4882
metcalfdds@gmail.com

Statistics Stuff

There's some subpages here dealing with some statistics topics I am interested in. I have always enjoyed taking statistics classes, but now I have a professional interest and reason--I believe there are some serious fundamental problems with the way dental age estimates are calculated, and that will be the area of my research.

So, to avoid folks saying "Well, the Dunning-Kreuger effect* is strong in you!" in my PhD program in forensic sciences I also have a minor in statistics--very few graduate degrees formally incorporate an actual minor area of study, but mine does.

That's why in the past I went back to law school and graduate school for training in law and forensics and statistics along with my dental degree--if I am going to pontificate about an area--dental age estimation--I am going to get some actual foundational training in the areas required, in contrast to others in this field. The area of forensic odontology is an extremly limited and esoteric niche--touches on dentistry, law, and forensics--and a lot of training in statistics should be required, too!

* The phenomenon where a person, because he or she is highly skilled in one area, believes she or he is equally and highly skilled in some other, unrelated area. It is wrongly often thought to mean only that an unskilled person incorrectly believes he or she is highly skilled in some way, but that's only one part of the concept. From personal experience, I believe I see this effect prevalent particularly in dentists and physicians--and I certainly include myself here. But a practical example is famous actors believing that their political opinions carry great weight and are interesting to others.

My website has no official affiliation with Oklahoma State University at all and is not endorsed by them in any way...

...but this is where I am attending graduate school, pursuing a PhD in forensic sciences with a minor in statistics, building on the master's in forensic science administration I received a few years ago from OK State.

Some of my other schools include Baylor for undergraduate and dental school...

Texas Wesleyan for law and business school......and Harvard Extension for some more grad statistics classes.

And, again, this website is not officially affiliated with any of these schools in any way, and is not endorsed by any of them.

© Copyright 2013, 2019 Roger D Metcalf. All worldwide rights reserved. No reproduction without permission. Neither the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's District, Tarrant County, the American Board of Forensic Odontolgy, the American Society of Forensic Odontology, the Royal College of Physicians, Oklahoma State University, nor any other organizaion mentioned here necessarily supports or endorses any information on this website. Any opinions, errors, or omissions are my responsibility, and mine alone. This site DOES NOT REPRESENT the official views of any of these--or any other-- organizations. Similarly, those other organizations may not fully represent my views, either.

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Roger D Metcalf DDS, JD
PO Box 137442
Fort Worth, TX 76136-1442
ph: +1-817-371-3312
fax: +1-817-378-4882
metcalfdds@gmail.com