Public Perception and Viewpoints of Dental Radiograph Prescriptions and Dentists’ Safety Protection Practice

Figures & data

Table 1 Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Sample

Variables	Gender
	Male	Female
Age
20–25	96 (22)	49 (11.2)
26–30	3 (0.7)	23 (5.3)
31–35	1 (0.2)	31 (7.1)
36–40	8 (1.8)	43 (9.8)
41–50	17 (3.9)	72 (16.5)
51 and above	26 (5.9)	68 (15.6)
Total	151 (34.6)	286 (65.4)
Marital Status
Single	96 (22)	59 (13.5)
Married	54 (12.4)	204 (46.7)
Widow/divorced	1 (0.2)	23 (5.3)
Total	151 (34.6)	286 (65.4)
Education
Primary/middle school	0 (0)	6 (1.4)
High school	19 (4.3)	32 (7.3)
Bachelor’s degree	117 (26.8)	211 (48.3)
Post graduate degree	15 (3.4)	37 (8.5)
Total	151 (34.6)	286 (65.4)
Occupation
Does not work	7 (1.6)	121 (27.7)
Student	90 (2.6)	29 (6.6)
Health care worker	13 (3)	18 (4.1)
Governmental employee/private/other	41 (9.4)	118 (27)
Total	151 (34.6)	286 (65.4)
Last Visit
ER	35 (8)	46 (1.5)
Less than 6 months	46 (1.5)	120 (27.5)
6 to 12 months	24 (5.5)	51 (11.7)
More than a year	46 (1.5)	69 (15.8)
Total	151 (34.6)	286 (65.4)
Have You Received any Rad for Your Teeth Before?
Yes	111 (25.4)	276 (63.2)
No	40 (9.2)	10 (2.3)
Total	151 (34.6)	286 (65.4)
Place of Taking Radiograph Hospital
Gov	50 (11.4)	52 (11.9)
Private	95 (21.7)	218 (49.9)
Teaching	6 (1.4)	16 (3.7)
Total	151 (34.6)	286 (65.4)

Table 2 Perception and Attitude of the Respondents Regarding Different Aspects of a Radiographic Prescription and Practice by Their Dentist

Variables	Never	Hardly Ever	Occasionally	Fairly Often	Always
	N (%)	N (%)	N (%)	N (%)	N (%)
Is the clinical examination and patient history checked before the dentist describes radiography?	50 (11.4)	58 (13.3)	103 (23.6)	102 (23.3)	124 (28.4)
Do you ask your dentist about radiation safety before taking it?	128 (29.3)	112 (25.6)	92 (21.1)	54 (12.4)	51 (11.7)
Is the radiation hazard explained before obtaining a radiograph?	174 (39.8)	133 (3.4)	72 (16.5)	37 (8.5)	21 (4.8)
Do you ask the dentist about the type of image (x-ray) before taking it?	124 (28.4)	123 (28.1)	97 (22.2)	43 (9.8)	50 (11.4)
Is the benefit explained before obtaining a radiograph?	68 (15.6)	86 (19.7)	102 (23.3)	105 (24)	76 (17.4)
Is the lead apron used during radiographic examination?	77 (17.6)	59 (13.5)	69 (15.8)	86 (19.7)	146 (33.4)
Is the thyroid gland (neck) covered during a radiographic examination?	130 (29.7)	93 (21.3)	92 (21.1)	54 (12.4)	68 (15.6)
Is approval taken before x-ray?	88 (2.1)	59 (13.5)	65 (14.9)	85 (19.5)	140 (32)
Does the dentist explain the results to you after taking the x-ray?	33 (7.6)	47 (1.8)	64 (14.6)	114 (26.1)	179 (41)
I refrain from radiation because of fear of its dangers	188 (43)	104 (23.8)	83 (19.)	33 (7.6)	29 (6.6)
Is radiography routinely used by your dentist?	82 (18.8)	112 (25.6)	129 (29.5)	68 (15.6)	46 (1.5)

Table 3 T-Test of Analysis of the Association Between Previous Radiographs and Perception and Attitude

Variables		N	Mean	Std. Deviation	T	Sig. (2-Tailed)
Do you ask your dentist about radiation safety before taking it?	Yes	387	2.46	1.298	−2.517	0.012
	No	50	2.96	1.551
Is the radiation hazard explained before obtaining a radiograph?	Yes	387	1.99	1.082	−4.387	0.000
	No	50	2.74	1.454
Does the dentist explain the results to you after taking the x-ray?	Yes	387	3.87	1.246	2.250	0.025
	No	50	3.44	1.473	1.979	0.053
I refrain from radiation because of fear of its dangers	Yes	387	2.04	1.169	−3.531	0.000
	No	50	2.68	1.518	−2.891	0.005

Table 4 Association of Sample Characteristics with Perception and Attitudes Using ANOVA Test

Variables			Sum of Squares	df	Mean Square	F	Sig.
Age	Is the clinical examination and patient history checked before the dentist describes the x-rays?	Between Groups	2.195	5	4.039	2.317	0.043
		Within Groups	751.448	431	1.743
		Total	771.643	436
	Is the radiation hazard explained before obtaining a radiograph?	Between Groups	17.699	5	3.540	2.712	0.020
		Within Groups	562.497	431	1.305
		Total	58.197	436
Education	Is radiography routinely used by your dentist?	Between Groups	12.708	3	4.236	2.829	0.038
		Within Groups	648.430	433	1.498
		Total	661.138	436
Occupation	Is the radiation hazard explained before obtaining a radiograph?	Between Groups	15.248	3	5.083	3.896	0.009
		Within Groups	564.949	433	1.305
		Total	58.197	436
Marital status	Is radiography routinely used by your dentist?	Between Groups	17.983	2	8.992	6.068	0.003
		Within Groups	643.154	434	1.482
		Total	661.138	436
	Is the radiation hazard explained before obtaining a radiograph?	Between Groups	11.705	2	5.852	4.468	0.012
		Within Groups	568.492	434	1.310
		Total	58.197	436
Last dental visit	Is the lead cap used during radiographic examination?	Between Groups	2.386	3	6.795	3.083	0.027
		Within Groups	954.315	433	2.204
		Total	974.700	436
Type of hospitals	Do you ask your dentist about radiation safety before taking it?	Between Groups	11.879	2	5.939	3.360	0.036
		Within Groups	767.275	434	1.768
		Total	779.153	436
	Is the radiation hazard explained before obtaining a radiograph?	Between Groups	1.038	2	5.019	3.821	0.023
		Within Groups	57.158	434	1.314
		Total	58.197	436