Research

Analysis of dental radiography phantom practice of dental hygiene students

Bok-Yeon Won   Mi-Yeong Hwang   Gye-Won Jang   Nam-Suk Heo   Mi-Suk Yun   Sung-Suk  Park   

Department of Dental Hygiene, Daejeon Health Institute of Technology
1Department of Dental Hygiene, Dongnam Health University
2Department of Dental Hygiene, Jinju Health College
3Department of Dental Hygiene, Masan University
4Department of Dental Hygiene, Shinhan University
5Department of Dental Hygiene, Taegu Science University

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate dental hygiene students’ recognition of safety management and phantom practice in dental radiology. Methods: The study subjects were 409 students in six regions who completed a dental radiology practice course and had on-job experience more than once. After understanding the study purpose and contents, they answered a questionnaire. The main jobs in dental radiology were analyzed. Results: As a result, regarding the most difficult aspects of dental radiology practice, “it is impossible to irradiate the mouth directly with X-rays” was the most common response (29.1%). Regarding the question “what is the main role of students in dental radiology practice?”, the answer “it is shooting simulations using phantoms” accounted for 59.7% of responses. The most difficult regions in bisecting and paralleling radiography with a phantom were found to be the maxillary & mandibular molars and premolars. The most difficult technique was reported to be locating XCP maintenance to fit inside the mouth for both molars and premolars. The most difficult region to perform bitewing radiography using the phantom was the molar region (2.87), and the most difficult to perform occlusal radiography approaches were maxillary anterior general occlusal radiography (2.92) and mandibular cross-sectional occlusal radiography (3.00). Conclusions: The most technically difficult point in bitewing and occlusal radiography was the correct positioning of the vertical and horizontal angles. Radiography practice was considered to be more effective than previous mutual practice in terms of analysis of anatomical structures and patient treatment methods. Therefore, it will be necessary to improve policy regarding dental radiography practice at the department of dental hygienics and revise the necessary laws and regulations.

Figures & Tables

Table 1. The general characteristics of this subject