Does digital radiography increase the number of intraoral radiographs? A questionnaire study of Dutch dental practices.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the number of radiographs taken in general dental practices equipped with digital radiography vs conventional film-based radiography and to determine the reasons for any difference in numbers.


METHODS
In a mail survey, 473 questionnaires were sent to Dutch General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) using digital radiography and 105 questionnaires were sent to GDPs using film. The questionnaire concerned the number of intraoral radiographs taken in the dental practice, as well as possible reasons to take more or fewer radiographs after conversion to digital radiography.


RESULTS
The response rate was 73%. Users of a phosphor plate system on average take 42.8 radiographs per week and solid-state system users take 48.4 radiographs, whereas film users take on average only 32.5 radiographs per week. The need for more certainty about the planned or ongoing treatment as well as better diagnostics were the most important reasons for taking more radiographs.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems that GDPs using a system for digital radiography are more inclined to take radiographs than dentists taking conventional radiographs. Although digital intraoral radiography requires 50-80% less radiation per exposure than film, it is likely that the effective dose reduction after converting from conventional to digital radiography is less than 25% owing to the greater numbers of radiographs taken.
Berkhout
W E R
WE
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.berkhout@acta.nl
Sanderink
G C H
GC
Van der Stelt
P F
PF
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014962:X-Ray Film / Q000706:statistics & numerical data