Abstract
Background: Increasing numbers of panoramic radiographs (PRs) are being taken every year worldwide. This study was designed to assess the ability of dental students, bachelor of oral health (BOH) students, graduate dentists and graduate oral health therapists (OHT) in Queensland, Australia, in the interpretation of PRs in order to assess future teaching needs. Methods: This study was conducted as a web-based survey. Final year dental students, final year BOH students, graduate dentists and graduate OHTs in Queensland were invited to participate in this study. The study examined three topics; 1) radiographic anatomy, 2) positioning errors, and 3) pathology/anomalies relating to PRs. Results: No significant difference was found between any of the four groups regarding identification of radiographic anatomy on PRs. Undergraduate dental students correctly identified significantly more positioning errors than graduated dentists. Undergraduate OHTs identified significantly more positioning errors than graduated OHTs. Graduate dentists scored significantly higher than final year dental students in the identification of pathology/anomalies in PRs. Graduated dentists who had access to a PR machine or had completed a refresher course in extra-oral radiography displayed significantly higher performance in identifying positioning errors. Generally the scores were low in all areas. Conclusions: Additional teaching of the three areas assessed would be beneficial in both the undergraduate curriculum and in the form of continuing education courses. Findings from this study support the findings from similar international studies (1-7) and have the potential to be extrapolated to teaching and learning initiatives in other Australian States.
Highlights
Panoramic radiography (PR) is the most common extra oral radiographic examination used in dental practice
By 1997, this number had risen to over 1.7 million and for 2000-01, 2.2 million panoramic radiographs were taken in these practices alone. [6, 9] Surveys conducted in other countries have found the number of practices operating PR machines to vary between 7% and 99%.[1]
Respondents consented to participate in the study and provided demographic information on their year of graduation, institution, degree, whether they had a PR machine at their place of work and whether they had completed any additional courses on panoramic radiography since graduation
Summary
Panoramic radiography (PR) is the most common extra oral radiographic examination used in dental practice. The study examined three topics; 1) radiographic anatomy, 2) positioning errors, and 3) pathology/anomalies relating to PRs. Results: No significant difference was found between any of the four groups regarding identification of radiographic anatomy on PRs. Undergraduate dental students correctly identified significantly more positioning errors than graduated dentists. Undergraduate OHTs identified significantly more positioning errors than graduated OHTs. Graduate dentists scored significantly higher than final year dental students in the identification of pathology/anomalies in PRs. Graduated dentists who had access to a PR machine or had completed a refresher course in extra-oral radiography displayed significantly higher performance in identifying positioning errors. Findings from this study support the findings from similar international studies [1,2,3,4,5,6,7] and have the potential to be extrapolated to teaching and learning initiatives in other Australian States
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
