ATTITUDES OF SWEDISH DENTISTS TO THE CHOICE OF DENTAL-X-RAY FILM AND COLLIMATOR FOR ORAL RADIOLOGY

Objectives. To investigate the use of E-speed film and rectangular col limation by Swedish dentists as a means of dose limitation in relation to their attitudes towards radiation hazards. Methods. A questionnair e was sent to 2000 randomly selected general dental practitioners to a ssess their use of different types of dental X-ray film and collimator s and their attitudes and knowledge on methods of dose reduction. Logi stic regression analysis was used to analyse the effects of postgradua te courses, gender, age, working alone, and working in the Public Dent al Health Service (PDHS) or private practice (PP) on the type of film and collimator used. Results. The response rate was 69.3%. D-speed fil m was used by 52% and E-speed film by 47%. Round open-ended 6 cm colli mators were used by 42%, while 29% used rectangular collimators. Denti sts in the PDHS, who viewed dental radiography as a 'high-risk' proced ure and who had attended a one-week continuing education course were t wice as likely to use dose-limitation techniques. Conclusions. Extende d continuing education courses and working in PDHS promote the use of low-dose techniques. Prospects for changing the present situation are good, provided that efforts are made to increase the awareness of radi ation hazards and knowledge of new techniques in under- and postgradua te education. Mandatory continuing education is proposed. (C) 1996 Els evier Science Ltd for IADMFR.