Connaissances et attitudes pratiques chez Des chirurgiens-dentistes de la ville de Sétif Vis-à-vis De La Radioprotection 2024-2025

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Radiography, necessary for dental practice, is inseparable from radiation protection. Objective: To assess the knowledge and practical attitudes of dentists towards radiation protection. Methodology: This is a descriptive epidemiological study involv ed 135 dentists practicing in Setif city, conducted between November 2024 and May 2025. Results: Our study population was young, with an age of 36 ± 8.58 years, and predominantly female (59,3 %). The majority (82,2 %) were general practitioners, working a normal schedule (81,5 %), and three-quarters (75,6%) practiced in the private sector. Only (10,5 %) of dentists had participated in radiation protection training, and just (19,3 %) knew the unit for biological effects of ionizing radiation. half (46,7 %) thought that exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation can cause health risks. One -third (36.3%) were aware of specialized radioprotection organizations, while two -thirds (71,1 %) had read at least one medical article related to radiation protection. (63,7 %) declared that pregnant female dentists should not continue performing intraoral radiographs during pregnancy. A majority (70,4 %) had n o idea about the annual occupational exposure dose limits for ionizing radiation, and (49,7 %) thought that the intraoral radiography room should be separated from the treatment room. The majority (86,7 %) believed the thyroid to be the most sensitive organ to ionizing radiation. In terms of equipment and practices, (79,3 %) used a digital sensor, and (80,7 %) used wall-mounted or movable intraoral X-ray units. Only (18,5 %) used extraoral radiography, (17,8 %) used cone - beam, and (14,8 %) used panoramic imaging. More than half (57%) used a round collimator, and (48,9 %) used long-cone intraoral X-ray devices. Some (42,2 %) used intraoral devices aged five to ten years, and two -thirds (63 %) did not perform any maintenance on their equipment. Frequency of us e was also measured: half (51,9 %) took between 10 and 49 intraoral images per week.Among dentists with extraoral radiography devices, (40 %) took between 1 and 4 extraoral images weekly. More than half (54,1 %) took only intraoral radiographs for new pat ients. Half (51,9 %) used the paralleling technique for periapical radiography, while (43,7 %) stood at an angle of 90° to 135° relative to the X-ray tube during exposure. Regarding personnel protection, over two - thirds (70,4 %) of dentists or their assistants were exposed to ionizing radiation when holding the film. Alarmingly, (38,5 %) of exposed staff did not use any means of radiation protection. The lead apron was the most commonly used protection (47,4 %), yet a majority (60 %) did not keep any distan ce from the X-ray tube during exposure.