Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Dentists toward Oral Radiology and Radiation Protection

Rania Mohammed Ahmed; Ibtisam Alshehri; Shouq Alosaimi; Ebtehal Musafer; Raghad Abdullah; Shouq Tail; Mrooj Alkhodari; Raweya Alosaimi; Hla Said; Nagwan Elhussein

Volume : IX, Issue : VII, July - 2019

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Dentists toward Oral Radiology and Radiation Protection

Rania Mohammed Ahmed, Ibtisam Alshehri, Shouq Alosaimi, Ebtehal Musafer, Raghad Abdullah, Shouq Tail, Mrooj Alkhodari, Raweya Alosaimi, Hla Said, Nagwan Elhussein

Abstract :

Radiology is a diagnostic test, in which ionization radiation is used in dentistry. This necessitates that oral and maxillofacial radiology needs to be done and conscientiously and with utmost care. In dentistry, radiographs are helpful in detecting oral diseases and bone related problems. The operators of radiographic machines were protected with a lead apron, low leaded flaps, and were leaded in all the processes. The objective of this work is to analyze dentists’ knowledge, attitude and practice towards oral radiology, radiation hazard to patients and protection of patients from radiation in Taif City, KSA. A cross–sectional descriptive study was conducted at several government and private dental clinics in Taif City, KSA. 78 dentists were randomly selected from October 2017 to April 2018. Of the 65% private clinics and 34% government hospitals, 42.3% of the X–rays in the private dental clinics were done by nurses while only 10.3% was done by X–ray technologist and 47.4%, dentists. The results obtained showed that the dentists’ and X–ray technologists’ levels of knowledge of radiology were very good, with 97.4% and 75% dentists having poor practice and attitude toward protection from radiation, while the X–ray technologists’ attitude was considered good (100%). Finally, it is recommended that the level of awareness among Taif Community be elevated to prevent radiation risk in dental clinics.