Experience of Norwegian general dental practitioners with solid state and storage phosphor detectors

Objectives: To evaluate the opinions of Norwegian dental practitioners rega rding the use of solid state sensor and storage phosphor (SP) detectors for intra-oral radiography. Methods: A questionnaire received from 2199 dentists 309 (219 male, 86 fema le, four unknown) confirmed the use of digital radiography in their practic es. Results: Sixty-one per cent of dentists used a SP and 35% a sensor system; four (1.3%) used both. Approximately 50% of dentists had experienced techni cal problems and 33% had needed repairs. Almost all dentists stored their i mages on the hard disk(> 97%) and 81% made a daily back-up. More sensor tha n SP users found difficulty with the positioning holder. Two-thirds of dent ists reported digital image quality was the same or better than film. More Digora (Soredex, Helsinki, Finland) users reported better image quality tha n Denoptix (Gendex, Milan, Italy) or Digident (Digident, Nesher, Israel) us ers. Mean reduction in exposure time was 55% (range 2- 90%), although 17 de ntists stated that no reduction was achieved. Approximately half of the sen sor users also used film and 38% of the SP users. Film was used more often for bitewing examination by the sensor users (27%) than by the SP users (4% ). Mean time saved by the sensor users was 36 min/day (range 10-120) and by the SP users 25 min/day (range 5-120). Conclusions: The majority of dentists felt that digital image quality was t he same or better than film and exposure and examination times were reduced . However, technical problems and repairs were common.