Abstract

KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND ATTITUDE OF DENTAL STUDENTS TOWARD THE USE OF CBCT AND CT IN DENTISTRY-A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Dr. Neelam Das* and Dr. Pavan Kumar Addanki

ABSTRACT

Background: Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and Computed Tomography (CT) is an advanced imaging device that helps in diagnosing hard tissue lesions of oral and maxillofacial region. Aim: To assess the knowledge and awareness on various application aspects of CBCT and CT and also to establish the importance of dental student’s attitudes towards new technologies used in dental practice among undergraduate and post-graduates students of Rama Dental College Hospital & Research Centre, Kanpur. Methods: A validated, pretested, and self-administered questionnaire consisting of 15 closeended questions was distributed among 227 dental students of Rama University. Results: Among the 227 participants, the proportion of participant’s awareness regarding CBCT and CT usage according to their educational status in third year, final year, interns, and postgraduate students (PGs) were found to be 80.6%, 90.9%, 89.9%, and 100%, respectively. This data revealed that a significant proportion of PGs had more awareness of CBCT and CT use for imaging of maxillofacial region as compared to undergraduates. Conclusion: It was observed in the survey that undergraduate students had less knowledge about CBCT and CT as compared to post graduates who need to upgrade their knowledge to enhance their dental practice. This observation undoubtedly necessitates the need for inclusion of new technologies in the oral radiology curriculum, organizing CDE programs, training courses and workshops to increase the knowledge awareness and guide the future dental students to apply three-dimensional imaging technologies for better and accurate diagnosis.

Keywords: Awareness, CT, CBCT, diagnosis, maxillofacial imaging, radiation dosage.