title: Insights into the state of radiation protection among a subpopulation of Indian dental practitioners.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Radiographs is an integral part of patient management in dentistry, despite their detrimental effects. As the literature pertaining to radiation protection among Indian dental practitioners is sparse, exploring such protection is needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  All private dental practitioners in Mangalore, India were included in the study. A structured, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was employed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, previous training, perceptions towards the need to spread awareness, and willingness to gain and implement knowledge about radiation hazards and protection. Information regarding each respondent's age, gender, education, and type and duration of practice was collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 87 out of 120 practitioners participated in the study. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 9.54±2.54, 59.39±7.01, and 5.80±3.19, respectively. Overall, 25.3% of the respondents had undergone training in radiation protection, 98.9% perceived a need to spread awareness, and 94.3% were willing to improve their knowledge. Previous training showed a significant correlation with age, sex, and duration of practice; attitude was significantly correlated with education and type of practice; and knowledge scores showed a significant correlation with type of practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the knowledge and practices of respondents were poor, they had a positive attitude and were willing to improve their knowledge. Age, sex, and duration of practice were associated with previous training; education and type of practice with attitude scores; and type of practice with knowledge scores. The findings of this study suggest a policy is needed to ensure the adherence of dental practitioners to radiation protection guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Almas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Binnal
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Gururaghavendran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rajesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Ceena
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Denny
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Junaid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Vijayendra
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nayak
keywords: Demographic Factors; General Practice, Dental; Radiation Protection; X-rays