Seo-Young An1, Kyung-Min Lee2, Jae-Seo Lee3. 1. 1 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University , Daegu , Republic of Korea. 2. 2 Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University , Gwangju , Republic of Korea. 3. 3 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Dental Science Research Institute, Chonnam National University , Gwangju , Republic of Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate dentists' perceptions and attitudes regarding radiation safety in dental practices in Korea. METHODS: 207 dentists participated in this study. An anonymous survey was conducted regarding the following areas: years of practice, characteristics of the radiography equipment, knowledge of diagnostic reference levels, prescription of dental radiographs, use of radiation protection procedures and participation in the radiation safety program. Data were evaluated according to frequency distribution; the χ test; and Fisher's exact test, which was used to investigate statistical significances (p < 0.05) between those with less than 10 years of experience in practice vs those with 10 years of experience or more. RESULTS: Approximately 83% of the dentists who responded to our survey participated in the radiation safety program, but only 58% were satisfied with it. There were statistically significant differences in the installation of X-ray units, learning pathway of diagnostic reference levels, prescription of dental radiography for new adult patients, use of personnel radiation monitoring systems and participation in the radiation safety program between those with less than 10 years of experience in practice vs those with 10 years of experience or more (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dentists with less than 10 years of experience were less attentive to radiation protection procedures. Therefore, taking both the duration of experience of dentists and the installed X-ray equipment into consideration, continuous and efficient education for both dental workers and patients regarding radiation safety and protection is recommended.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate dentists' perceptions and attitudes regarding radiation safety in dental practices in Korea. METHODS: 207 dentists participated in this study. An anonymous survey was conducted regarding the following areas: years of practice, characteristics of the radiography equipment, knowledge of diagnostic reference levels, prescription of dental radiographs, use of radiation protection procedures and participation in the radiation safety program. Data were evaluated according to frequency distribution; the χ test; and Fisher's exact test, which was used to investigate statistical significances (p < 0.05) between those with less than 10 years of experience in practice vs those with 10 years of experience or more. RESULTS: Approximately 83% of the dentists who responded to our survey participated in the radiation safety program, but only 58% were satisfied with it. There were statistically significant differences in the installation of X-ray units, learning pathway of diagnostic reference levels, prescription of dental radiography for new adult patients, use of personnel radiation monitoring systems and participation in the radiation safety program between those with less than 10 years of experience in practice vs those with 10 years of experience or more (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dentists with less than 10 years of experience were less attentive to radiation protection procedures. Therefore, taking both the duration of experience of dentists and the installed X-ray equipment into consideration, continuous and efficient education for both dental workers and patients regarding radiation safety and protection is recommended.