Intraoral digital radiography- A way forward or risk of overexposure: A questionnaire-based study

Abstract

: Digitization of intraoral radiography has revolutionized dentistry. It comes with plethora of advantages, such as quick image production elimination of processing chemicals, reduced patient exposure. With easy and instant image acquisition, the number and frequency of radiographs as well retakes have also increased. Therefore, making us think is there an actual reduction in the radiation exposure or not.: To assess clinical utilisation of intraoral digital radiography among practicing dental surgeons.It is a questionnaire-based study. Questionnaire was curated using google forms and divided into two sections. First section included personal data and second section was focused on the clinical practice. Questionnaire link was circulated through various social media platform. 112 responses were collected.Out of all responses, 78.6% are using intraoral digital radiography, among them 53.4% are using CCD sensors. Maximum number of practitioners (54.5%) take on an average 0-5 intraoral digital radiographs and 98.9% of them take 1-6 retakes per day. Errors in positioning the receptor and PID were the most common reasons for taking repeats.: It appears that there is an increase in number and frequency of radiographs and number of retakes which might be nullifying the dose reduction from intraoral digital radiography. Practitioners should not neglect the radiation exposure from intraoral digital radiography as it may have a cumulative effect in long run and should abide by the radiation protection protocol and ALADA principle.