Original Article

Year : 2021 | Volume : 6 | Issue : 1 | Page : 4 - 8

General Dental Practitioners Knowledge of Dental Radiography among Dentist in Chennai, India

Praveen, L. Jailance

SRM Dental College, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India

Address for correspondence:

Dr. L. Jailance,

Assistant Professor, SRM Dental College, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India.

E-mail: dr.jailance@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction:

Dental radiographs are one of the principal diagnostic methods used in dentistry. The safe and effective use of X‐ray equipment is important to the protection of the patient and members of the dental team. The aim of this research is to evaluate the general dental practitioner’s knowledge of dental radiography.

Materials and Methods:

The data were collected from fifty general dental practitioners at self‐convenience using a structured questionnaire consisting of 9‐item questionnaire. The sample was selected based on inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria include undergraduate, postgraduate, and Chennai dental practitioners. The exclusion criteria include the students and dental radiograph assistants. In the questionnaire, details were asked about the age of the intraoral radiographic unit, kVp and mA of the equipment, the type of timer on the machine and about the geometry of the machine, and the geometric technique used for intraoral radiography. Furthermore, the questionnaire contained questions about the type of intraoral detectors that were used and whether the dentists were also using panoramic machines and, if so, which type of detector they had. Among the possible answers, one option was “no idea.” The data thus obtained were subjected to statistical evaluation.

Results:

80% (40 dentist) of the equipment used in South Chennai dentist was reported to operate between 60 and 70 kVp, whereas 20% (10 dentist) claimed to be working at a tube voltage of 50 kVp.

Conclusion:

The results of this study showed that the knowledge of dentist in South Chennai regarding dentomaxillofacial radiology is excellent. The level of awareness of practitioners regarding radiation hazards and safety was found to be acceptable.

Keywords: Exposure, general practitioners, knowledge, radiation protection, radiology

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

How to cite this article:

Praveen, Jailance L. General dental practitioners knowledge of dental radiography among dentist in Chennai, India. Int J Soc Rehab 2021;6:4-8.