A survey on dental undergraduates' knowledge of oral radiology

de-Azevedo-Vaz, Sergio Lins; Vasconcelos, Karla de Faria; Rovaris, Karla; Ferreira, Naiara de Paula; Haiter Neto, Francisco

Abstract

Dentists' incorrect behavior with regards to Oral Radiology, as reported in the literature, has been related to inadequate training of undergraduates. AIM: This study assessed dental undergraduates' knowledge of Oral Radiology. METHODS: A questionnaire containing 30 questions pertaining to three domains - General Principles, Radiobiology/Radioprotection and Technique/Interpretation - was used as data collection instrument. A total of 195 students answered the questionnaires. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between second-, third- and fourth-year students (p>0.05) when the whole questionnaire and the General Principles domain (p>0.05) were considered. The Technique/Interpretation domain presented a borderline statistical significance level (p=0.051), with more correct answers attributed to second-year students. A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was seen for the Radiobiology/Radioprotection domain, in which the fourth-year students performed better. CONCLUSIONS: Dental undergraduates' knowledge of Oral Radiology did not increase or decrease significantly comparing the undergraduate years. However, with the exception of the Technique/Interpretation domain, students of more advanced undergraduate years answered more correctly the questions. Nevertheless, the Technique/Interpretation domain should be reinforced throughout the undergraduate course.

dental education; radiology; dental radiography; radiation protection; questionnaires

References

¹ Aps JK. Flemish general dental practitioners' knowledge of dental radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2010; 39: 113-8.
² Jacobs R, Vanderstappen M, Bogaerts R, Gijbels F. Attitude of the Belgian dentist population towards radiation protection. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2004; 33: 334-9.
³ Shahab S, Kavosi A, Nazarinia H, Mehralizadeh S, Mohammadpour M, Emami M. Compliance of Iranian dentists with safety standards of oral radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2011; 41: 159-64.
⁴ Svenson B, Söderfeldt B, Gröndahl HG. Attitudes of Swedish dentists to the choice of dental X-ray film and collimator for oral radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 1996; 25: 157-61.
⁵ Svenson B, Söderfeldt B, Gröndahl HG. Analysis of dentists' attitudes towards risks in oral radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 1996; 25: 151-6.
⁶ Tosoni GM, Campos DM, Silva MR. Frequency and quality management of intraoral radiographic examinations in private dental practices. Rev Odontol UNESP. 2003; 32: 25-9.
⁷ Melo MF, Melo SL. Radioprotection in dentistry offices. Cienc Saude Colet. 2008; 13(Suppl 2): 2163-70.
⁸ Neves FS, Vasconcelos TV, Bastos LC, Góes LA, Freitas DQ. Attitudes of dentists in relation to radiological protection, according to Brazilian law. Rev Odontol Bras Central. 2010; 19: 301-5.
⁹ Hendricson WD, Andrieu SC, Chadwick DG, Chmar JE, Cole JR, George MC et al. Educational strategies associated with development of problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-directed learning. J Dent Educ. 2006; 70: 925-36.
¹⁰ Brazil. Ministry of Education. National Council of Education. Resolution CNE/CES. Board of Higher Education. National Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Dentistry. Official Federal Gazette; 2002 Mar 4.
¹¹ Haden NK, Andrieu SC, Chadwick DG, Chmar JE, Cole JR, George MC et al. The dental education environment. J Dent Educ. 2006; 70: 1265-70.
¹² Linjawi AI, Walmsley AD, Hill KB. Online discussion boards in dental education: potential and challenges. Eur J Dent Educ. 2012; 16: e3 - 9.
¹³ Ferreira NP, Batista MJ, Sousa MLR, Cury JA. Validation of the Questionnaire about Knowledge Cariology [in portuguese]; 2012 [in press].
¹⁴ Ruprecht A. The status of oral and maxillofacial radiology worldwide in 2007. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2009; 38: 98-103.
¹⁵ Olapiriyakul K, Scher JM. A guide to establishing hybrid learning courses: employing information technology to create a new learning experience, and a case study. Internet Higher Educ. 2006; 9: 287-301.
¹⁶ Handal B, Groenlund C, Gerzina T. Dentistry students' perceptions of learning management systems. Eur J Dent Educ. 2010; 14: 50-4.
¹⁷ Neuhaus KW, Schegg R, Krastl G, Amato M, Weiger R, Walter C. Integrate learning in dentistry: baseline data and first evaluation at the Dental School of Basel. Eur J Dent Educ. 2008; 12: 163-9.
¹⁸ Woltering V, Herrler A, Spitzer K, Spreckelsen C. Blended learning positively affects students' satisfaction and the role of the tutor in the problem-based learning process: results of a mixed-method evaluation. Adv Health Sci Educ. 2009; 14: 725-38.
¹⁹ Kavadella A, Tsiklakis K, Vougiouklakis G, Lionarakis A. Evaluation of a blended learning course for teaching oral radiology to undergraduate dental students. Eur J Dent Educ. 2012; 16: e88-95.
²⁰ Kumar V, Gadbury-Amyot CC. A case-based and team-based learning model in oral and maxillofacial radiology. J Dent Educ. 2012; 76: 330-7.
²¹ Pahinis K, Stokes CW, Walsh TF, Tsitrou E, Cannavina G. A blended learning course taught to different groups of learners in a dental school: follow-up evaluation. J Dent Educ. 2008; 72: 1048-57.

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
19 July 2013
Date of issue
June 2013

History

Received
25 Feb 2013
Accepted
11 June 2013

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

[1] ¹ Aps JK. Flemish general dental practitioners' knowledge of dental radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2010; 39: 113-8.

[2] ² Jacobs R, Vanderstappen M, Bogaerts R, Gijbels F. Attitude of the Belgian dentist population towards radiation protection. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2004; 33: 334-9.

[3] ³ Shahab S, Kavosi A, Nazarinia H, Mehralizadeh S, Mohammadpour M, Emami M. Compliance of Iranian dentists with safety standards of oral radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2011; 41: 159-64.

[4] ⁴ Svenson B, Söderfeldt B, Gröndahl HG. Attitudes of Swedish dentists to the choice of dental X-ray film and collimator for oral radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 1996; 25: 157-61.

[5] ⁵ Svenson B, Söderfeldt B, Gröndahl HG. Analysis of dentists' attitudes towards risks in oral radiology. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 1996; 25: 151-6.

[6] ⁶ Tosoni GM, Campos DM, Silva MR. Frequency and quality management of intraoral radiographic examinations in private dental practices. Rev Odontol UNESP. 2003; 32: 25-9.

[7] ⁷ Melo MF, Melo SL. Radioprotection in dentistry offices. Cienc Saude Colet. 2008; 13(Suppl 2): 2163-70.

[8] ⁸ Neves FS, Vasconcelos TV, Bastos LC, Góes LA, Freitas DQ. Attitudes of dentists in relation to radiological protection, according to Brazilian law. Rev Odontol Bras Central. 2010; 19: 301-5.

[9] ⁹ Hendricson WD, Andrieu SC, Chadwick DG, Chmar JE, Cole JR, George MC et al. Educational strategies associated with development of problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-directed learning. J Dent Educ. 2006; 70: 925-36.

[10] ¹⁰ Brazil. Ministry of Education. National Council of Education. Resolution CNE/CES. Board of Higher Education. National Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Dentistry. Official Federal Gazette; 2002 Mar 4.

[11] ¹¹ Haden NK, Andrieu SC, Chadwick DG, Chmar JE, Cole JR, George MC et al. The dental education environment. J Dent Educ. 2006; 70: 1265-70.

[12] ¹² Linjawi AI, Walmsley AD, Hill KB. Online discussion boards in dental education: potential and challenges. Eur J Dent Educ. 2012; 16: e3 - 9.

[13] ¹³ Ferreira NP, Batista MJ, Sousa MLR, Cury JA. Validation of the Questionnaire about Knowledge Cariology [in portuguese]; 2012 [in press].

[14] ¹⁴ Ruprecht A. The status of oral and maxillofacial radiology worldwide in 2007. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2009; 38: 98-103.

[15] ¹⁵ Olapiriyakul K, Scher JM. A guide to establishing hybrid learning courses: employing information technology to create a new learning experience, and a case study. Internet Higher Educ. 2006; 9: 287-301.

[16] ¹⁶ Handal B, Groenlund C, Gerzina T. Dentistry students' perceptions of learning management systems. Eur J Dent Educ. 2010; 14: 50-4.

[17] ¹⁷ Neuhaus KW, Schegg R, Krastl G, Amato M, Weiger R, Walter C. Integrate learning in dentistry: baseline data and first evaluation at the Dental School of Basel. Eur J Dent Educ. 2008; 12: 163-9.

[18] ¹⁸ Woltering V, Herrler A, Spitzer K, Spreckelsen C. Blended learning positively affects students' satisfaction and the role of the tutor in the problem-based learning process: results of a mixed-method evaluation. Adv Health Sci Educ. 2009; 14: 725-38.

[19] ¹⁹ Kavadella A, Tsiklakis K, Vougiouklakis G, Lionarakis A. Evaluation of a blended learning course for teaching oral radiology to undergraduate dental students. Eur J Dent Educ. 2012; 16: e88-95.

[20] ²⁰ Kumar V, Gadbury-Amyot CC. A case-based and team-based learning model in oral and maxillofacial radiology. J Dent Educ. 2012; 76: 330-7.

[21] ²¹ Pahinis K, Stokes CW, Walsh TF, Tsitrou E, Cannavina G. A blended learning course taught to different groups of learners in a dental school: follow-up evaluation. J Dent Educ. 2008; 72: 1048-57.