Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Radiation Protection Safety Measures among Dental Students in a Dental College

Abstract

Protection from radiation is defined as the practice and science of safeguarding the environment and humans against the hazardous effects of ionizing radiation. Aim and Objective: This study aims to assess and evaluate the attitude, knowledge, and perception of measures against radiation protection of ionizing radiation in 310 dental students in a dental college. Background: A piece of sound knowledge on protection measures from radiation is essential among dental professionals in modern dental practices. The use of imaging modalities has become inadvertent and increased exponentially during recent years in the era of dentistry. Methodology: A 20- E- questionnaire was prepared in google forms after validation from external experts in the field of oral medicine and radiology and were shared to 310 participants comprising of 89 CRRIS, 99 third year BDS graduates, 90 final year BDS graduates, 32 Postgraduates. The responses were recorded, the descriptive statistics were determined in terms of frequencies and percentages. Conclusion: Out of 310 dental undergraduates, 127 participants (40.97%) stated that the film is held in the mouth of the patient with their hand during radiation exposure and stated the lack of sound knowledge on the effects of radiation among dental undergraduates. Increased awareness and sound knowledge regarding protection measures on radiation during dental training is important for providing better radiation protection measures during practice in dentistry. One hundred and forty-nine (48.06%) answered that high-speed film does not reduce radiation exposure. This shows the lack of piece of sound knowledge about the optimization principle of protection from ionizing radiation among dental undergraduates, which states that the higher the speed of X-ray film, the lower the radiation exposure.

Radiation safety compliance awareness among healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation

“…Additionally, HCWs should adhere to radiation safety precautions [ 13 ] and be knowledgeable about radiation risks and safety measures through educational interventions on safety compliance [ 14 ]. Lack of radiation safety knowledge exposes HCWs and future generations to harmful effects [ 15 ].…”