SURVEY OF AWARENESS LEVELS OF DENTISTS ABOUT CORRECT USAGE OF VARIOUS RADIOGRAPHIES IN DENTISTRY

With the increasing usage of X rays, professional responsibility entails dentists to have sufficient and correct knowledge about prescription of radiographies in order to correctly diagnose and minimally expose patients to radiation. The aim of this study was to assess the awareness levels of dentists in Yazd in term of correct prescription of radiographies. In this descriptive, cross sectional study, specially formatted questionnaires were filled by 134 dentists. Their knowledge in 10 various fields for correct prescription of radiographies was evaluated and compared in each field on the basis of gender and educational status.(General, specialists) According to the results, knowledge levels about correct prescription of panoramic, periapical radiographies, CT and MRI was good, while that for occlussal radiographies, patients prone to caries, patients with periodontal diseases, evaluation of growth condition and dental crypts was moderate. In addition, it was weak for bitewing radiographies and in patients not prone to caries. There was no significant difference in awareness levels according to gender. The awareness level of specialists was much higher than that of general dentists except in cases of patients prone to caries where the difference was not significant. One of the most effective means for reducing probable risks of radiation is abstention from prescription of unnecessary radiographies.