World’s First Charity Promotes Accurate Birth Records through Dental Age Assessment
Dr. Jayakumar Jayaraman, a postgraduate dental researcher, has launched the world’s first charity aimed at promoting accurate birth records through Dental Age Assessment (DAA). The charity, named the DOB Foundation (Date of Birth Foundation), was officially inaugurated last August at HKU’s Prince Philip Dental School. The first center was established in Chennai, India.
“Birth registration is a fundamental human right,” explained Dr. Jayaraman, a final-year PhD student. “It is proof of a person’s existence; it can protect against child labor and child marriage and can give people access to education and health care.”
The DOB Foundation encourages parents in Chennai to bring their children for free dental age assessments, after which they receive a legally recognized birth certificate. Additionally, the charity provides dental checkups and treatments, promoting oral hygiene throughout the community.
Implications and Impact
Accurate birth registration has broad implications, including in areas such as immigration, citizenship, welfare, political asylum, human rights, and criminal prosecution. Dr. Jayaraman cited a recent gang rape case in India where one accused claimed to be under 18 to avoid a harsher penalty, illustrating the importance of accurate age determination. “In such serious cases, it is crucial to be accurate,” he noted.
Dr. Jayaraman’s interest in Dental Age Assessment began with research on asylum seekers in the United Kingdom. In the UK, refugees under 18 are entitled to stay and receive support, while those over 18 may face deportation. This research led him to spend a month at King’s College London Dental Institute to learn DAA methodology.
Dental Age Assessment is considered more accurate than other methods like bone development or sexual maturity, which can be influenced by external factors such as vitamin deficiency.
Looking ahead, Dr. Jayaraman anticipates DAA will be vital for climate change refugees. Rising sea levels are expected to displace many people by the 2050s, making birth registration more critical for those who migrate. Accurate population statistics, bolstered by DAA, can also inform economic policies related to food supply, education, and healthcare.
Educational Initiatives
The DOB Foundation is also committed to educating dentists. “We interviewed 200 dentists in Chennai and found that very few knew how to carry out DAA tests accurately,” Dr. Jayaraman shared. To address this, the foundation is conducting workshops to train dentists in this methodology.
Dr. Jayaraman trained at the Dental Age Research London Information Group (DARLING) and is now keen to disseminate this knowledge globally. “Most dental training institutions worldwide do not teach DAA, and there is no universal legislation on the methodology. We aim to establish a universal protocol.”
The DOB Foundation has proposed DAA methodology to various organizations, including the Australian Human Rights Commission, which is shifting from bone assessments to DAA for age determination among maritime refugees.
The Date of Birth Foundation continues to engage with communities and expand its reach to other developing countries. For more information or to contribute, visit DOB Foundation.
