274 W . Ageeli et al .: Radioprotection 2024 , 59 ( 4 ), 270 – 277
Table 2 . Differences in the awareness levels related to demographics between dental students .
No |
Questions |
Academic year |
Gender |
x2 |
df |
p |
x2 |
df |
p |
1 |
Are you aware of the National Council on Radiation Protection |
3.382 |
2 |
0.184 |
7.965 |
1 |
0.005 |
|
( NCRP ) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection ( ICRP ) recommendations ? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Are you aware of deterministic and stochastic effects |
12.187 |
2 |
< 0.001 |
3.059 |
1 |
0.08 |
3 |
Are you aware of the ALARA principle ? |
2.133 |
2 |
0.344 |
9.821 |
1 |
0.002 |
4 |
Are dental radiographs contraindicated in pregnant patients ? |
4.454 |
2 |
0.108 |
0.860 |
1 |
0.354 |
5 |
Are personal monitoring badges required to be worn by the |
0.160 |
2 |
0.923 |
0.416 |
1 |
0.519 |
|
operator ? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
Do you use a lead apron for patients during exposure ? |
1.842 |
2 |
0.398 |
1.679 |
1 |
0.195 |
7 |
Do you stand behind a lead barrier during exposure ? |
1.404 |
2 |
0.496 |
11.445 |
1 |
< 0.001 |
8 |
What is the most important organ that must be protected during |
4.467 |
4 |
0.347 |
15.018 |
3 |
0.002 |
|
dental radiography ? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
Which of the following Radiographic techniques delivers more |
3.204 |
2 |
0.201 |
13.135 |
1 |
< 0.001 |
|
radiation to patients ? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
Are children and fetuses more vulnerable to radiation ? |
4.225 |
2 |
0.121 |
0.166 |
1 |
0.683 |
11 |
Are you aware of radiation shielding in x-ray rooms ? |
9.495 |
2 |
< 0.005 |
0.416 |
1 |
0.519 |
12 |
Are you familiar that DNA is the critical target for radiation ? |
3.823 |
2 |
0.148 |
16.928 |
1 |
< 0.001 |
13 |
Is 3 to 5 Gy received over a very short period considered a lethal dose ? |
1.723 |
2 |
0.423 |
2.666 |
1 |
0.103 |
safety education ( Prabhat , 2011 ). In contrast to our findings , Arnout ’ s study documented a 27 % rate , Arnout and Jafar ’ s research reported 20 %, and Shah et al . recorded a 56 % rate ( Arnout , 2014a , 2014b ; Shah , 2014 ). The ALARA ( As Low As Reasonably Achievable ) principle , a fundamental concept in radiation safety , was recognized by 90 % of the participants . This high level of awareness is encouraging , as it emphasizes the significance of minimizing radiation exposure for both patients and practitioners . In contrast , there were divergent findings in previous studies where dental students exhibited a lower awareness of the ALARA principle . Arnout and Jafar reported a 40 % rate , and Srivastava et al . reported a rate of 34.4 % ( Arnout , 2014a , 2014b ; Srivastava , 2017 ). The variations in results across different regions emphasize the global significance of incorporating ALARA principles into dental radiography education .
The study also explored variations in radiation protection awareness and knowledge among participants based on their year classification . Statistically significant differences were observed in the awareness levels of deterministic and stochastic effects and radiation shielding in X-ray rooms between students at different academic stages . These differences suggest that as dental students progress through their academic years , their understanding of certain radiation protection concepts may evolve . suggesting that the curriculum effectively enhances understanding of these critical concepts over time .
The observed correlation between the year in which the dental imaging module takes place in the third year and the increased knowledge of participants highlights the importance of initial education about radiation protection . Specifically , participants in later classification years may have had more exposure to radiation protection concepts due to the increased practical experience during clinical practice modules , as they have already completed the protection modules . Conversely , participants in earlier classification years may have had limited exposure to such educational interventions , resulting in lower awareness levels as shown previously in Figure 1 .
4.1 Implications for dental radiography education
The findings of this study have significant implications for dental radiography education . The observed high level of awareness among dental students regarding the harmful nature of dental X-rays is promising . However , the study reveals variations in awareness levels of specific radiation protection principles , such as deterministic and stochastic effects , among participants in different academic years . Our analysis suggests that these variations may indeed be linked to both the year of introduction of the dental imaging learning module and the practical modules which included practicing in hospitals . Specifically , participants in later classification years may have had more exposure to radiation protection concepts due to increased practical experience during internships . Conversely , participants in earlier classification years may have had limited exposure to such educational interventions , resulting in lower awareness levels . These observations are supported by the statistically significant associations found in our data analysis , indicating differences in awareness levels across academic years for certain aspects of radiation protection knowledge . Additionally , the study emphasizes the importance of reinforcing the ALARA principle , which was recognized by 90 % of participants , indicating a positive trend in minimizing radiation exposure .