Investigation of radiation‐protection knowledge, attitudes, and practices of North Queensland dentists

Abstract

Aim Queensland has current radiation‐protection guidelines; however, with the absence of data exploring compliance and implementation, the efficacy is unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes on radiation protection among private North Queensland (NQ) dentists. Methods A quantitative methodology was employed in an observational and descriptive study using questionnaires for data collection. Results Of the 154 questionnaires distributed, 63 were completed and returned. The respondents’ knowledge concerning the technical details of their equipment was limited, with 31.5% and 47% not knowing the tube voltage and current utilized for their machines, respectively. In total, 23.8% of dentists had limited knowledge about the speed of the conventional film they used, 90.5% of respondents agreed that the role of imaging in dentistry is important, and 75.8% dentists reported the thyroid as the most important organ to protect during dental radiography. Their knowledge regarding position‐distance rule was reasonably adequate; 80.3% of the dental practices appeared to follow the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency guidelines, 95.2% preferred taking radiographs if it was only urgent, and 69.8% identified a need for spreading awareness regarding radiation protection. Conclusions An opportunity and need for further continuing education was identified among NQ dentists to ensure safety of patients.

Radiation protection among health care workers: knowledge, attitude, practice, and clinical recommendations: a systematic review

“…Positive attitude Development about radiation protection leads to motivation for enhancing the knowledge; hence, more proper practice. Developing a positive attitude is time-consuming, and mostly occurs over the long run and based on experience [18]. Regarding performance, most studies revealed an average performance of HCWs concerning radiation protection.…”

“…Current evidence suggests different results about the level of awareness, attitude, and performance of healthcare workers about radiation protection across different countries [14][15][16]. Further, many studies have shown that HCWs with good knowledge may lack a good attitude about radiation protection [17][18][19]. Also, many individual studies have found poor knowledge about radiation protection [14,20,21].…”

Evaluation of dentists’ knowledge about the use of radiology in pediatric dentistry in Serbia

“…We found that a majority of pediatric dentists in Serbia would not expose women to any kind of radiography. A research of North Queensland dentists 7 had an opposite result. The most preferred procedural change for pregnant patients was to take only intraoral radiographs if urgent for diagnosis (95.2%).…”

“…Basic knowledge about the age of their x-ray units, cone and colimator types, kilovolts and milliamperes was porely shown in our research, with the prevalence of dentists that did not have answers to these questions. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of North Queensland dentists 7 shows that most radiographic equipment appeard to be greater than 6 years old. In approximately two thirds of cases (61.3%), the dentists used tube voltage of 65-70kVp, and half of the responders a tube current of under 10mA.…”

Fungsi pelindung tiroid dan persepsi dokter gigi terhadap penggunaannya pada teknik radiografi sefalometri dan CBCT

“…20 menganggap bahwa gonad adalah organ yang paling penting untuk dilindungi dari paparan radiasi. 35 Celemek timbal banyak digunakan oleh dokter gigi karena dianggap dapat mereduksi dosis efektif dengan cara melindungi abdomen dan gonad dari paparan radiasi hambur. Pemakaian celemek timbal memiliki relevansi klinis yang kecil dalam usaha perlindungan paparan radiasi pada radiografi kedokteran gigi karena paparan radiasi hambur yang mencapai organ gonad sangat rendah sehingga kontribusinya sangat rendah terhadap dosis efektif total pasca pemeriksaan radiografi kedokteran gigi.…”