Imaging Sci Dent.  2013 Sep;43(3):179-184. 10.5624/isd.2013.43.3.179.

Attitude of the Korean dentists towards radiation safety and selection criteria

• Lee BD
• Ludlow JB

• KMID: 2167455
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2013.43.3.179

Abstract

PURPOSE
X-ray exposure should be clinically justified and each exposure should be expected to give patients benefits. Since dental radiographic examination is one of the most frequent radiological procedures, radiation hazard becomes an important public health concern. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitude of Korean dentists about radiation safety and use of criteria for selecting the frequency and type of radiographic examinations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study included 267 Korean dentists. Five questions related to radiation safety were asked of each of them. These questions were about factors associated with radiation protection of patients and operators including the use of radiographic selection criteria for intraoral radiographic procedures.
RESULTS
The frequency of prescription of routine radiographic examination (an example is a panoramic radiograph for screening process for occult disease) was 34.1%, while that of selective radiography was 64.0%. Dentists' discussion of radiation risk and benefit with patients was infrequent. More than half of the operators held the image receptor by themselves during intraoral radiographic examinations. Lead apron/thyroid collars for patient protection were used by fewer than 22% of dental offices. Rectangular collimation was utilized by fewer than 15% of dental offices.
CONCLUSION
The majority of Korean dentists in the study did not practice radiation protection procedures which would be required to minimize exposure to unnecessary radiation for patients and dental professionals. Mandatory continuing professional education in radiation safety and development of Korean radiographic selection criteria is recommended.

Keyword

Dentists; Attitude; Patient Selection; Radiography

MeSH Terms

Dental Offices
Dentists
Education, Professional
Humans
Mass Screening
Patient Selection
Prescriptions
Public Health
Radiation Protection

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Frequency of patient's questions about the radiation hazard.

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  Fig. 2 A. Frequency of dentist explanation about radiation risk/benefit to patients. B. Comparison of frequency of explaining about radiation risk/benefit to patients, between general dentists and specialists of oral radiologist. "Sometimes": depending on situation, "as requested": when patients ask.

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  Fig. 3 Frequency of image receptor usage among the film, digital sensor, photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plate. Mixed means "film and digital combination".

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