Objective: Ionizing radiation is hazardous to living tissues due to their effects on somatic cells and genetic material. Since dental radiography is used widely for diagnosis, treatment planning and patient education, it is important for dentists to understand the problems associated with the use of radiation and the methods of preventing them. The present study was designed to assess and compare the knowledge, attitude and practice of dental house surgeons and undergraduate students towards radiation safety and protection.
Materials and methods: A cross sectional questionnaire based survey was conducted among 153 dental house surgeons and undergraduate students attending a dental teaching hospital.
Results: On comparison of the house surgeons with undergraduate students, the present study found that the knowledge, attitude and practice of house surgeons were better than the undergraduate students regarding AERB guidelines, ALARA principles, position distance rule, personal monitoring devices, thickness of lead barrier and use of lead protection. Both the groups had similar high knowledge regarding the harmful effects of X-rays. However undergraduate students had better knowledge regarding radiation hazard symbol and made better use of personal monitoring devices. A greater number of house surgeons were found to have had formal training in radiation protection while undergraduate students were more willing to undergo further training.
Conclusion: Dental students must be educated regarding radiation safety and protection before they commense work as independent practitioners for the protection of their patients, the environment and themselves.