Radioprotection 2024 , 59 ( 4 ), 270 – 277 © W . Ageeli et al ., Published by EDP Sciences 2024 https :// doi . org / 10.1051 / radiopro / 2024021
Available online at : https :// www . radioprotection . org /
ARTICLE
Assessment of dental students ’ knowledge towards ionizing radiation in dentistry : a cross-sectional study
W . Ageeli 1 ,* , A . Alfaify 1 , E . Abdali 1 , A . Sharafy 1 , A . Gissy 1 , M . Ageel 2 , A . Alyami 1 , A . M . Abdelrazig 1 , T . Refaee 1 , B . Ageeli 2 , B . Alwadani 1 , M . Elnaeem 1 , A . A . Ageeli 3 , A . Hakami 4 and N . Majrashi 1
1 Department of Diagnostic Radiography Technology , Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences , Jazan University , Jazan , Saudi Arabia . 2 Public Health Department , Farsan General Hospital , Ministry of Health , Jazan Health Affairs , Jazan , 88342 , Saudi Arabia . 3 Nursing Department , Farsan General Hospital , Ministry of Health , Jazan Health Affairs , Jazan , 88342 , Saudi Arabia . 4 Almadaya Primary Care , Jazan Health Cluster , Ministry of Health , Jazan , Saudi Arabia .
Received : 18 January 2024 / Accepted : 5 June 2024
Abstract – Background : Dental radiography , a pivotal diagnostic technique in dentistry , plays a significant role in patient care . Despite its indispensability , the use of ionizing radiation in dental radiography entails inherent risks . Dental students , as future practitioners , bear the responsibility of acquiring a thorough knowledge of radiation protection to ensure the safety of both patients and operators . Aim : This study seeks to evaluate the levels of awareness , knowledge , and approach regarding ionizing radiation among dental students enrolled in the dentistry program at Jazan University ( JU ). Material and methods : A descriptive , cross-sectional survey was carried out involving 82 dental students , with a participant distribution of 63 males ( 77 %) and 19 females ( 23 %) across different academic years . The survey utilized a structured questionnaire designed to assess awareness regarding deterministic and stochastic effects of ionizing radiation , as well as various aspects of radiation protection practices . Demographic factors , including gender and academic year , were scrutinized for their potential impact on radiation protection awareness . The collected data underwent statistical analysis using chi-square tests implemented in SPSS to explore any significant associations . Results : The study included 82 dental students with varying age distributions . Age-wise , 39 % fell within the 21 – 23 yr range , 31 % were between 18 – 20 yr , 24 % ranged from 24 – 26 yr , and 6 % were older than 26 yr . Participants were distributed across different academic years , with the largest group being fourth-year students ( 25 %), followed by fifth-year students ( 15 %). Most participants ( 91 %) recognized the harm of dental X-rays . Awareness varied by topic , with 52-90 % awareness rates . Female students showed a higher awareness of certain topics . Female students exhibited higher awareness of the National Council on Radiation Protection ( NCRP ) and International Commission on Radiological Protection ( ICRP ) recommendations and the practice of standing behind lead barriers during exposure Conclusion : Overall awareness of radiation protection was high among dental students , but there were variations by gender and academic year . Tailored educational interventions are needed to ensure comprehensive understanding and promote responsible practices .
Keywords : Dental students / knowledge / safety / awareness / radiation
1 Introduction
The initial assessment of patients presenting with oral symptoms or diseases is typically the primary step in diagnosis and treatment planning within clinical practice . However , relying solely on visual examinations of dentoalveolar and craniofacial tissues has inherent limitations . While dental caries is often visually identified during clinical examinations ,
* Correspondence author : wageeli @ jazanu . edu . sa discerning the potential involvement of pulpal and periradicular tissues poses challenges ( Abogazalah and Ando , 2017 ; Genc , 2018 ; Carvalho et al ., 2020 ; Tinanoff , 2020 ). Notably , interproximal caries are more frequently detected on bitewing radiographs than through clinical observation ( Abogazalah and Ando , 2017 ). In the realm of implant dentistry , a comprehensive radiographic evaluation using panoramic radiographs and cone-beam computed tomographic scans is crucial to correlate alveolar bone structures with vital anatomical features such as the maxillary sinus and inferior alveolar nerve ( Genc , 2018 ). Additionally , radiographic
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