Imaging Sci Dent.  2013 Dec;43(4):253-259. 10.5624/isd.2013.43.4.253.

Insights into the state of radiation protection among a subpopulation of Indian dental practitioners

• Binnal A
• Rajesh G
• Denny C
• Ahmed J
• Nayak V

• KMID: 2229607
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2013.43.4.253

Abstract

PURPOSE
Radiographs is an integral part of patient management in dentistry, despite their detrimental effects. As the literature pertaining to radiation protection among Indian dental practitioners is sparse, exploring such protection is needed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
All private dental practitioners in Mangalore, India were included in the study. A structured, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was employed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, previous training, perceptions towards the need to spread awareness, and willingness to gain and implement knowledge about radiation hazards and protection. Information regarding each respondent's age, gender, education, and type and duration of practice was collected.
RESULTS
Overall, 87 out of 120 practitioners participated in the study. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 9.54+/-2.54, 59.39+/-7.01, and 5.80+/-3.19, respectively. Overall, 25.3% of the respondents had undergone training in radiation protection, 98.9% perceived a need to spread awareness, and 94.3% were willing to improve their knowledge. Previous training showed a significant correlation with age, sex, and duration of practice; attitude was significantly correlated with education and type of practice; and knowledge scores showed a significant correlation with type of practice.
CONCLUSION
Although the knowledge and practices of respondents were poor, they had a positive attitude and were willing to improve their knowledge. Age, sex, and duration of practice were associated with previous training; education and type of practice with attitude scores; and type of practice with knowledge scores. The findings of this study suggest a policy is needed to ensure the adherence of dental practitioners to radiation protection guidelines.

Keyword

Radiation Protection; X-rays; General Practice, Dental; Demographic Factors

MeSH Terms

Demography
Dentistry
Education
General Practice, Dental
Humans
India
Radiation Protection*
Surveys and Questionnaires

Reference

1. Langlais RP, Langland OE. Risks from dental radiation in 1995. J Calif Dent Assoc. 1995; 23:33–39.

2. White SC. 1992 assessment of radiation risk from dental radiography. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 1992; 21:118–126.

3. Gibbs SJ. Biological effects of radiation from dental radiography. Council on Dental Materials, Instruments, and Equipment. J Am Dent Assoc. 1982; 105:275–281.

4. White SC, Pharoah MJ. Oral radiology: principles and interpretation. 6th ed. St. Louis: Mosby;2009.

5. Shahab S, Kavosi A, Nazarinia H, Mehralizadeh S, Mohammadpour M, Emami M. Compliance of Iranian dentists with safety standards of oral radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2012; 41:159–164.

6. The 2007 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. ICRP publication 103. Ann ICRP. 2007; 37:1–332.

7. Miles DA, Langlais RP. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement. NCRP report No. 145: new dental X-ray guidelines: their potential impact on your dental practice. Dent Today. 2004; 23:128–134.

8. Kim IH, Mupparapu M. Dental radiographic guidelines: a review. Quintessence Int. 2009; 40:389–398.

9. Svenson B, Petersson A. Questionnaire survey on the use of dental X-ray film and equipment among general practitioners in the Swedish Public Dental Health Service. Acta Odontol Scand. 1995; 53:230–235.

10. Ezoddini Ardakani F, Sarayesh V. Knowledge of correct prescription of radiographs among dentists in Yazd, Iran. J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2008; 2:95–98.

11. Jacobs R, Vanderstappen M, Bogaerts R, Gijbels F. Attitude of the Belgian dentist population towards radiation protection. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2004; 33:334–339.

12. Ilguy D, Ilguy M, Dincer S, Bayirli G. Survey of dental radiological practice in Turkey. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2005; 34:222–227.

13. Aps JK. Flemish general dental practitioners' knowledge of dental radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2010; 39:113–118.

14. Razi T, Bazvand L, Ghojazadeh M. Diagnostic dental radiation risk during pregnancy: awareness among general dentists in Tabriz. J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2011; 5:67–70.

15. Sheikh S, Pallagatti S, Singla I, Gupta R, Aggarwal A, Singh R, et al. Survey of dental radiographical practice in States of Punjab and Haryana in India. J Investig Clin Dent. (in press).

16. Svenson B, Söderfeldt B, Gröndahl H. Knowledge of oral radiology among Swedish dentists. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 1997; 26:219–224.

17. Svenson B, Söderfeldt B, Gröndahl HG. Analysis of dentists' attitudes towards risks in oral radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 1996; 25:151–156.

18. Svenson B, Söderfeldt B, Gröndahl HG. Attitudes of Swedish dentists to the choice of dental X-ray film and collimator for oral radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 1996; 25:157–161.

19. Svenson B, Gröndahl HG, Söderfeldt B. A logistic regression model for analyzing the relation between dentists' attitudes, behavior, and knowledge in oral radiology. Acta Odontol Scand. 1998; 56:215–219.

20. Mutyabule TK, Whaites EJ. Survey of radiography and radiation protection in general dental practice in Uganda. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2002; 31:164–169.

21. de Melo Mde F, Melo SL. Radioprotection in dentistry offices. Cien Saude Colet. 2008; 13:Suppl 2. 2163–2170.

22. Salti L, Whaites EJ. Survey of dental radiographic services in private dental clinics in Damascus, Syria. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2002; 31:100–105.

23. Tugnait A, Clerehugh V, Hirschmann PN. Radiographic equipment and techniques used in general dental practice: a survey of general dental practitioners in England and Wales. J Dent. 2003; 31:197–203.

24. Lee BD, Ludlow JB. Attitude of the Korean dentists towards radiation safety and selection criteria. Imaging Sci Dent. 2013; 43:179–184.

25. Alcaraz M, Velasco E, Martinez-Beneyto Y, Velasco F, Armero D, Parra C, et al. The status of Spain's dental practice following the European Union directive concerning radiological installations: 11 years on (1996-2007). Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2010; 39:468–474.