An assessment of Dental Students′ knowledge of radiation protection and practice

Abstract

Objective: To assess dental students' knowledge of dental radiation protection and practice as well as correlating their knowledge to practice on dental radiography. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire based study on radiation protection among dental students. Correct responses to the questions were allocated 1 mark while wrong response received no mark. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17 (Chicago, IL.). Pearson's coeffi cient correlation analysis was performed to establish relationship between various variables with the signifi cant level set at 5%. Results: The study was conducted among 78 fi nal year dental students, of which 32 were females and 46 were males. The mean score of the students on knowledge of radiobiology was 1.85 ± 1.19. Knowledge of radiation protection was abysmally poor with mean score of 0.92 ± 0.80 while the mean score of radiation protection practice was 2.69 ± 1.42. There was no signifi cant correlation between the number of radiographs taken and knowledge of radiation protection or practice. A greater proportion of students with ''good'' radiation protection knowledge in comparison to those with ''poor'' knowledge kept a distance of over 3 metres from the patients/X-ray tube, wore lead apron, used the lowest possible settings on the X-ray machine and used collimators. Most (75.6%) of the students thought they did not have adequate knowledge on radiation protection. Conclusion: There is need to expand the curriculum to provide better exposure to radiation protection and its practice, so that these students on graduation will be well grounded with the principle governing dental radiography.

Awareness Level of Radiation Protection among Dental Students

“…The BDS students should have proper knowledge of this concept so that they can provide the maximum benefit to the patient along with taking care of the health of their staff and other individuals sitting in their dental set up. 8 After the student has completed his/her graduation, he/she is expected to take the dental radiographs with great precision, minimum attempts showing fine details following all the concepts of image formation along with protection of himself, his staff and patients from radiation hazards as far as possible. These may include wearing of lead apron and thyroid collar, following position distance rule and all the safety requirements of x-ray room.…”

“…9 The concept of ALARA is very important when radiology comes into picture which suggests that radiation should be as low which can be achieved within practical limits. 8 There should be a balance between the side effects and the benefits produced by a single radiograph. Speaking in detail that every radiograph should only be done if it increases the ability of a dentist to diagnose a condition and treat it by comparing them with the side effects it is going to have on the patient.…”

Knowledge, attitude, and perception of dental undergraduates and interns on radiographic protection in Iraq.

“…Usefulness of collimators and filters in dental radiography was known by 89% of the participants. Conversely, Arnout reported only 44% [4] , Arnout and Jafar reported an acceptable 73% [6] , Enabulele and Igbinedion reported 50% [11] , whereas Prabhat et al [1] and Rahal et al [10] reported high results (90% and 83.3%, respectively). The knowledge of deterministic and stochastic effects and ALARA principle were evident in 86% of the participants, which is similar to Shah et al (98.6%) [9] and Prabhat et al (84%) [1] , whereas Arnout and Arnout and Jafar reported only 33% and 40%, respectively [4,6] .…”

Medical radiation workers' knowledge, attitude, and practice to protect themselves against ionizing radiation in Tehran Province, Iran

“…[27] In contrast, in other surveys, radiologic technologists had better safety knowledge than practice. [1328] Shah et al .…”

“…In line with our study, low level of RP-knowledge and a little better practice among dental students were indicated in the study of Enabulele and Igbinedion. [ 27 ] In contrast, in other surveys, radiologic technologists had better safety knowledge than practice. [ 13 28 ] Shah et al .…”