Knowledge of oral radiology among Swedish dentists.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a method of measuring Swedish dentists' knowledge of oral radiology and to relate the knowledge measure to a number of characteristics including risk attitude and use of low dose techniques. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to 2000 randomly selected dentists listed in the register of the Swedish Dental Society, with a response rate of 69.2%. An index for measuring knowledge was constructed, based on the answers to the questions. The measure was cross-tabulated with a number of demographic variables. RESULTS: Dentists with 5-25 years in practice had a higher level of knowledge than those with either fewer or more years in practice. Dentists working in the Public Dental Health Service had a higher level of knowledge compared with those in private practice. Specialists had a significantly higher level of knowledge compared with dentists who were not. Forty-two per cent of the dentists had not attended any course in oral radiology since graduation. Seventy-nine per cent of the dentists using a 'low' dose technique had a 'high' level of knowledge. The difference between dentists using a 'low-dose' and a 'high-dose' technique was statistically significant (P = 0.000). Dentists' attitude to risk is related to their knowledge. Seventy-one per cent of the dentists in counties with a specialist in oral radiology had a 'high level of knowledge' compared with 57% in those without. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to study the relationship between knowledge and demographic variables by a survey. Work experience and extended education affect dentists' knowledge. There is an association between knowledge, use of low-dose techniques and risk attitude.