Knowledge about Radiation Protection among Undergraduate Dental Students

Aim: The aim of this study is to analyse the knowledge about radiation protection among undergraduate dental students. Objective: To determine the level of awareness among dental students towards radiation hazards and protection measures. Background: Dental students and personnel are constantly exposed to ionisingradiation due to their work nature in oral radiology department. The awareness of possible hazardous effects and the measures to protect themselves is mandatory. This study aims to ascertain the level of awareness amongst dental undergraduates in this regard through a questionnaire based study. Dental students and practitioners should be aware of radiation and it's harmful effects to the human body and correct protocol needed to be followed during radiographic procedures. Results: Among 150 undergraduate dental students surveyed, 135 students (90%) are aware of harmful radiation effects, 15 of them (10%) are not aware of harmful radiation effects. 84 students (56%) were aware about ALARA and 66 (44%) were ignorant about ALARA. Among the 84 (56%) students who are aware or ALARA, 27 students ( 32.1% ) practice the principles of ALARA and 57 (67.9%) don't. Among 150 undergraduate dental students, 142 students (94.7%) definitely take safety precautions during radiation exposure and 8 (5.3%) are of opinion it is not necessary. 68 students (45.3%) thinks the clinician is more prone to the harmful radiation effects, 54 (36% ) thinks the patient is more prone and 28 students (18.7%) felt the accompanying person is more prone to radiation harmful effects. 77 students (51.3%) practice a safe distance of more than 3meter away from the patient during exposure, 73 students (48.7% ) do not do.114 (76%) undergraduate dental students are aware of mandatory use of a film badge, 36 (24%) feels otherwise Among 150 students, 33 students (22%) thinks alarm rate meter is a personal monitoring device, 20 students (13.3%) answered survey meter, 23 (15.3%) for Geiger counter and 74 students ( 49.3%) correctly knew that film badge is a personal monitoring device. 37 (24.7%) students felt film badge as the most accurate method for monitoring and measuring radiation dose, 43 (28.7%) for thermoluminescent dosimeter badge, 51 students (34%) for thermoluminescent dosimeter extremity monitor, 19 students (12.7%) felt ionization chamber is the most accurate method for monitoring and measuring radiation dose. 88 students (58.7%) indicate need to use high speed film, while 62 ( 41.3%) favours a low speed film.21 students (14%) stands behind a lead barrier while exposing, 129 (86%) don't always stand behind a lead barrier while exposing. 133 students (88.7%) felt cancer is the primary risk from occupational radiation exposure, 36 students (24%) feel radiation exposure to dentists and their staffs comes from primary beam if they stand in the path of radiation, 22 students ( 14.7% ) feels it comes from scattered radiation from the patient, 30 students (20%) are of view of radiation leakage from the tube head and 62 students (41.3%) thinks radiation exposure is from all the above. Conclusion: The present study shows that undergraduate dental students have knowledge on radiation protection. This study also suggests that more knowledge and awareness about radiation protection should be implemented and safety measures should be practiced at all times while in radiology unit.