KNOWLEDGE AND ADOPTION OF RADIOGRAPHIC QUALITY ASSURANCE GUIDELINES BY GENERAL DENTISTS IN NORTH-CAROLINA

Objectives/Study Design. A random survey of equal proportions of urban and rural North Carolina general dentists was conducted to assess the ir knowledge and adoption of radiographic quality assurance guidelines of the American Dental Association. Results. A total of 159 surveys w ere returned representing a response rate of 51%. A majority of respon dents answered ''don't know'' to questions dealing with intraoral and panoramic radiography units and darkroom monitoring. Higher levels of knowledge (58% to 77%) and adoption (63% to 86%) of guidelines were se en with film-processing activities. Linear regression demonstrated sub stantial positive association between knowledge and adoption of guidel ines (R = 0.50). Stepwise multiple regression revealed positive associ ations of the demographic variables of years in practice, urban locati on, and age with greater knowledge of guidelines (R(2) = 0.33, P < 0.0 5). Urban location was associated with increased likelihood of adoptio n of guidelines (R(2) = 0.09, p < 0.05).