COMPARISON OF RADIATION SAFETY PRACTICE AMONG DENTISTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the radiation safety awareness, attitudes and practice amongst dentists practicing in the U.K and compare them to dentists practicing in Pakistan. Materials and Methods: This was an observational and descriptive study utilizing self-reported questionnaires consisting of 15 MCQs distributed electronically to dentists registered with G.D.C. in the U.K. and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, P.M.D.C. in Pakistan, and who are currently practising as a dentist in the appropriate country. Results: There were 102 respondents from Pakistan and 119 from U.K. Within the U.K 84% reported that they received training regarding radiation protection within the past two years. In Pakistan only 6.9% reported receiving such training. In Pakistan 42.2% felt that the X-Ray equipment was periodically serviced whilst 95% in the U.K.indicated their equipment was periodically serviced. In Pakistan 52% responded that there was a radiation safety plan in place whilst 95.8% of U.K. respondents reported the same. In Pakistan 18% of the operators held the image receptor themselves during intra-oral X-Ray whilst none of the U.K respondents reported doing the same. Conclusion: Within Pakistan there is a need for increased training regarding radiation safety for dentists. There is also room for improvement in training U.K. based dentists on radiation protection. There is a risk that Pakistani dentists are exposing themselves to un-necessary levels of radiation which may have long term consequences to their health. Maintenance of X-Ray equipment in Pakistan as well as presence of radiation protection plans are alarmingly low.