Use of 'rapid' processing techniques by a sample of British dentists.

Abstract

Knowledge of current practices amongst general dental practitioners (GDPs) is important in planning postgraduate and undergraduate teaching curricula and in ensuring the relevance of clinical research. A number of methods are available to dentists for the rapid production of intraoral radiographic images, including concentrated and monobath chemistry. No current data exists about the use of such 'rapid' systems in the UK. The aim of this study was to obtain this data, including the relative popularity of the different systems. A questionnaire on 'rapid' processing of radiographs was distributed to all 855 GDPs in four Family Health Services Authorities in North West England. Responses were received from 326 GDPs (38.1%). 29.4% of GDPs used some kind of 'rapid' system, with 'packet processed' films being the most popular. 6.1% of all GDPs used 'rapid' systems routinely, while the remainder used them for specific situations, typically emergencies and endodontics.

Questionnaire surveys of dentists on radiology

“…Nonetheless, as early as 1993, Horner et al 22 commented, ''It is possible that GDPs were suffering from 'questionnaire fatigue' ''. In addition to surveys by academic institutions, dentists regularly receive requests to complete commercial surveys.…”

An International Survey among Prosthodontists of the Use of Mandibular Implant‐Supported Dental Prostheses

“…Low response rate has been reported as an increasing problem, and could be a result of many surveys being distributed from academic institutions and also requests to complete commercial surveys . Low response rates expressed as “questionnaire fatigue” have been reported . In Sweden previously high response rates in health‐related surveys have dropped substantially over the years .…”

“…A questionnaire was mailed to all licensed prosthodontists to capture their practice profiles; the results showed only minor changes in the infrequent use of IODs over the last decade . Questionnaire response rates have dropped significantly during the last decade, and problems related to such lower rates have been extensively reviewed and discussed . Although there is an array of published studies on implant treatments, little is known about the number of implants preferred among dentists in various countries for the support of fixed and removable dental prostheses.…”

Diagnostic dental radiation risk during pregnancy: awareness among general dentists in Tabriz

“…Size and shape of x-ray beams are important factors involved in the radiation dose absorbed by the patient., 11 In periapical radiographic technique, horizontal limiting of radiation field to accommodate film size (rectangular collimator) is suggested. 12 Some studies have reported that no dental practitioner makes use of a rectangular collimator; 13,14 however, some other studies have reported that some dentists make use of such collimators., 16 A rectangular collimator with a 3.5 × 4.4 cm 2 outlet reduces exposure area and patient skin dose up to 60% compared to a round collimator. 2 …”