The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of dental faculty members' utilization of diagnostic codes and resulting treatment planning based on radiographic interproximal tooth radiolucencies. In 2015, 50 full-time and part-time general dentistry faculty members at one U.S. dental school were shown a sequence of 15 bitewing radiographs; one interproximal radiolucency was highlighted on each bitewing. For each radiographic lesion, participants were asked to choose the most appropriate diagnostic code (from a concise list of five codes, corresponding to lesion progression to outer/inner halves of enamel and outer/middle/pulpal thirds of dentin), acute treatment (attempt to arrest/remineralize non-invasively, operative intervention, or no treatment), and level of confidence in choices. Diagnostic and treatment choices of participants were compared to "gold standard" correct responses, as determined by expert radiology and operative faculty members, respectively. The majority of the participants selected the correct diagnostic code for lesions in the outer one-third of dentin (p<0.0001) and the pulpal one-third of dentin (p<0.0001). For lesions in the outer and inner halves of enamel and the middle one-third of dentin, the correct rates were moderate. However, the majority of the participants chose correct treatments on all types of lesions (correct rate 63.6-100%). Faculty members' confidence in their responses was generally high for all lesions, all above 90%. Diagnostic codes were appropriately assigned by participants for the very deepest lesions, but they were not assigned accurately for more incipient lesions (limited to enamel). Paradoxically, treatment choices were generally correct, regardless of diagnostic choices. Further calibration is needed to improve faculty use and teaching of diagnostic codes.

The photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plate and charge‐coupled device (CCD) are receptors commonly used for intraoral radiography in U.S. dental schools. However, it is unclear which receptor is more beneficial for radiology education and patient care in an academic setting. The aim of this study was to compare the time efficiency, image quality, and operator performance for student‐operated PSP plate and CCD receptors. At one U.S. dental school in 2018, 20 dental hygiene and dental students (n=10 each) were recruited as operators. They each exposed anterior and posterior periapical and bitewing radiographs on dental radiograph teaching and training replica using the PSP plate and CCD as receptors. The time taken to expose the radiographs was recorded. Image sharpness/definition, brightness/contrast, and technical errors, including placement, angulation, and cone cut errors, were evaluated on a three‐point scale with 0=non‐diagnostic, 1=diagnostic acceptable with minor errors, and 2=perfect diagnostic quality. The results showed that it was generally faster for the students to expose intraoral radiographs with CCDs than with PSP plates, although the difference was not significant (p>0.05). Image quality and technical accuracy, especially angulation, were significantly superior for PSP relative to CCD (p<0.05). This study found that PSP imaging was of higher quality and accuracy than CCD, whereas CCD was more efficient. Dental and dental hygiene students would benefit from being trained on both receptors to be able to adapt to a diversified workplace.