Maxillofacial Radiology Report Expectations

This study examined the dentists and specialists expectations and preferences in terms of radiology report style and content to improve the quality of reports in maxillofacial radiology imaging interpretation. A multiple-choice questionnaire, containing 9 questions, was formed. One-hundred and sixtyeight dentists and specialists, working either in a uni-versity hospital or a public hospital, were allocated into 6 groups according to be a speacia-list or not, be a dentistry student or a clinician and work experience. Questionnaire was applied to participants by face-to-face interview. Results were analyzed for each group using Pearson chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. No statistically significant difference was fo-und among six groups except for the 3th and 9th questions which were about the determina-tion fo the image artifacts and making measurements on the images for implant planning. Clinicians with at least 10 years experience preferred radiological report more detailed about image artifacts (p<0.05). Dentists who had experienced under 10 years preferred measure-ments printed on the images for implant planning (p<0.05). There were also diffierences about the imaging tecnique preferences that should be reported. It has been determined that dentists and specialists preferred detailed, standardized radiological reports with clinical information (esp. localization, internal structure, size of the lesions and relation with the anatomical landmarks) technique information, findings, conclusion and recommendations for further imaging tecniques. This study provided essential data for maxillofacial radiolo-gists to write more effective reports.