Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Radiation Hazards and Radiation Protection among the Undergraduate Dental Students in C.S.M.S.S Dental College and Hospital, Chh. Sambhajinagar- A Questionnaire Based Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Radiation usage has been a common method of diagnosis and treatment planning in dentistry in recent years, evaluation of the awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice of radiation hazards and radiation protection among the undergraduate dental students as they represent future dental practitioners. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice of radiation hazards and radiation protection among the undergraduate dental students. Objective: To analyze the current status of awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice amongst the third year, final year dental students and dental interns participants towards radiation hazards and their protection. Material and method: A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to dental undergraduate students at Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Sanstha (C.S.M.S.S) Dental College And Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. The data was gathered on awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice of radiation hazards and radiation protection. The sample size of the study was 300 participants, each 100 from third year, final year and dental interns. A validated questionnaire with 20 multiple choice questions about radiation hazards and protection was used for the study. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Result: The awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice about radiation hazards and radiation protection were highest in dental interns i.e. 66.15%, followed by third year dental students (56.6%) and then final year dental students (55.5%). Among the total participants, majority felt that lectures and tutorials or workshops should be conducted to acquire more knowledge on radiation hazards and protection. Conclusion: The present study highlights the importance of lectures and training programs for improving the awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice of future dental practitioners. It is recommended that the curriculum of dental school for third and final year dental students should be expanded further to improve their knowledge of radiation hazards and protection. So as to protect the patients and themselves from harmful effects of radiation caused by unnecessary exposure and negligence by the dental practitioners.