AN INSIGHT INTO THE RADIOGRAPHIC PRACTICE AMONG THE DENTISTS OF KARAD CITY, INDIA.

Rashmi Gangavati*, Rajendra Baad*, Nupura Vibhute*, Siddhartha Varma#, Wasim Kamte* and Sonali Sankpal*

ABSTRACT

Objectives: One important aspect which is commonly not given prime importance in routine general dental practise is radiography. So the current study was designed to assess the knowledge about various aspects of radiographic practices followed by the private dental practitioners in Karad city, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 89 dental practitioners in Karad, India were included in the study. A structured, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used for the study. The questionnaire comprised of 28 questions which included information about Demographic characteristics, Radiation safety standards, ALARA principle and Management of radiographic waste. Results: Only 57% of the respondents mentioned that they get their X-ray unite serviced on a regular basis. Majority of the dentists used E speed film (77%). Only 34.5% of the respondents do change the exposure time for different patients. Only 38% of the dentists used lead aprons for their patients regularly and none of them had a thyroid protecting shield. In the present study only 55% of the dentists followed the position distance rule when the protective barrier was absent while taking radiographs. Only 3% of the dentists used film badges for monitoring radiation exposure. The processing solutions were disposed properly by only 3% of the dentists and only 27% of them disposed the film covering and lead foil as hospital waste. Conclusion: The present study highlights the necessity to improve the knowledge of general dentists about radiation safety and dose reduction methods which could be possible using various educational approaches to disseminate vital information.

Keywords: Radiation protection, X rays, Dentist.