Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Digital Imaging and Cone Beam Computed Tomography among Dental Practitioners in North Karnataka, India.

INTRODUCTION: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has one of the most important roles for diagnosis in dentistry. AIM AND
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the level of knowledge and awareness toward the scope of digital imaging and CBCT, among dental practitioners in North Karnataka regions such as Bidar and Raichur city.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire study was carried out among 200 dental practitioners of North Karnataka (Bidar and Raichur). A specially designed structured questionnaire (13 in number) was administered to assess the knowledge of digital imaging and CBCT. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient test, and any P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
RESULTS: A total of 200 dentists were selected for the study, among which 93.5% were reported that digital imaging is the most useful method compared to conventional method. About 91.0% of the dentists were aware of CBCT. Of 91.5% of the dentists preferred CBCT for three-dimensional imaging in the head and neck region. Among all, majority of dentists reported that all types of radiography will be used in digital imaging (45.0%).
CONCLUSION: The current study showed that knowledge of dentist regarding digital imaging and CBCT was not satisfactory; therefore, participants require an understanding of the concepts behind CBCT and related technologies, making appropriate training essential for every member of the dental team. Copyright:

INTRODUCTION

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was pioneered in the late 1990s in Japan and Italy.[1] It allows the creation in “real-time” two-dimensional (2D) images of images in coronal, sagittal, and even oblique or curved image planes – this process said to be multiplanar reformation. In addition of this, data are amenable to reformation in a volume, rather than a slice, providing three-dimensional (3D) information.[2] To differentiate between cysts and tumors, CBCT is the best tool for determining such diseases in dentistry.[3]

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire study was carried out among 200 dental practitioners in Bidar and Raichur city of North Karnataka. Specially designed structured questionnaires were administered to assess the knowledge of digital imaging and CBCT. Those who were not willing to participate purely excluded from the study. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient test, and any P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 200 dentists were selected for the study, among which 73.5% of the dental practitioners used digital radiography, 25.0% of the dentists not aware of digital radiography, whereas 1.5% of the dentists were not answered [Figure 1]. Among all, majority of the dentists (93.5%) were reported that digital imaging is the most useful method compared to conventional method [Figure 2]. About 91.0% of the dentists know that about CBCT and 9.0% of dentists were not preferred for CBCT due to their expensive cost [Figure 3]. Majority of the dentists (44.9%) reported that all types of radiography will be used in digital imaging, whereas 35.4% of the dentists used intraoral radiography, 9.5% of the dentists used orthopantomagram (OPG), and 10.2% of the dentists used lateral ceph [Table 1]. Among all, majority of the dentists (70.0%) not preferred CBCT due to other reasons, whereas 27.5% of the dentists reported that it is too expensive and 2.5% of the dentists reported its inability to interpret [Table 2]. Of 91.5% of the dentists preferred CBCT for 3D imaging in the head and neck region whereas 8.5% of the dentists preferred for computed tomography [Table 3].

Figure 1

Number and percentage of dentists used digital radiography

Figure 2

Number and percentage of dentists reported that digital imaging is useful compared to conventional method

Figure 3

Number and percentage of dentists know about cone beam computed tomography

Table 1

Number and percentage of dentists used radiography in digital imaging

	n (%)
Intraoral	52 (35.4)
OPG	14 (9.5)
Lateral graph	15 (10.2)
All	66 (44.9)
Total	147 (100)

OPG: Orthopantomogram

Table 2

Number and percentage of dentists not preferred cone-beam computed tomography

	n (%)
Expensive	55 (27.5)
Inability to interpret	5 (2.5)
Other reasons	140 (70.0)
Total	200 (100)

Table 3

Number and percentage of dentists preferred three-dimensional imaging in head and neck region

	n (%)
CT	17 (8.5)
CBCT	183 (91.5)
Total	200 (100)

CT: Computed tomography, CBCT: Cone-beam CT

DISCUSSION

In our study, 73.5% of the dental practitioners were used digital radiography, which was higher than the study conducted by Dölekoğlu et al., in Turkey (67.0%),[4] Wenzel and Møystad (14.0%),[5] Ilgüy et al. (14.0%),[6] Jacobs (34.0%),[7] Gijbels (30.0%),[8] Brian and Williamson (19.7%),[9] Aps (54.0%),[10] and Mehdizadeh M et al. (33.7%).[11] In our study, about 91.0% of the dentists know about CBCT which is greater than the other studies conducted by Torabi M et al. in Kerman (89.0%),[12] Keerththana and Arathy in Chennai (82.0%),[13] Kamburoglu et al. in Turkey (63.3%),[14] and Reddy et al. in South India (42.5%).[15] In the present study, 91.5% of the dentists preferred to refer patients for CBCT which was greater than the study conducted by Reddy et al. in South India (72.7%).[15] This study showed that dentists in North Karnataka regions such as Bidar and Raichur city have an average level of knowledge about CBCT technique. Majority of the dentists (44.9%) reported that all types of radiography will be used in digital imaging, whereas 35.4% of dentists used intraoral radiography, 9.5% of dentists used OPG, and 10.2% of dentists used lateral ceph. Among all, majority of the dentists (70.0%) not preferred CBCT due to other reasons, whereas 27.5% of the dentists reported that it is too expensive and 2.5% of dentists reported that its inability to interpret. Until now, no data are available regarding the level of knowledge about digital imaging and CBCT in North Karnataka regions such as Bidar and Raichur city dental practitioners.

CONCLUSION

The study shows that knowledge of dentist regarding digital imaging and CBCT was not satisfactory; therefore, participants requires an understanding of the concepts behind CBCT and related technologies, making appropriate training essential for every member of the dental team. CBCT is one of the most important aspects in dental as well as medical field. It largely expands in diagnostic and treatment aspects. It should be used carefully with precautions, where conventional 2D imaging techniques access to the technological processes in case of surgeries will improve patient management. When using the best CBCT to examine an individual, it is very important to reduce the X-ray dose while striving for an image that enables appropriate diagnosis and management.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.