title: Comparison of Swedish and Norwegian Use of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: a Questionnaire Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cone-beam computed tomography in dentistry can be used in some countries by other dentists than specialists in radiology. The frequency of buying cone-beam computed tomography to examine patients is rapidly growing, thus knowledge of how to use it is very important. The aim was to compare the outcome of an investigation on the use of cone-beam computed tomography in Sweden with a previous Norwegian study, regarding specifically technical aspects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The questionnaire contained 45 questions, including 35 comparable questions to Norwegian clinics one year previous. Results were based on inter-comparison of the outcome from each of the two questionnaire studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses rate was 71% in Sweden. There, most of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations performed by dental nurses, while in Norway by specialists. More than two-thirds of the CBCT units had a scout image function, regularly used in both Sweden (79%) and Norway (75%). In Sweden 4% and in Norway 41% of the respondents did not wait for the report from the radiographic specialist before initiating treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The bilateral comparison showed an overall similarity between the two countries. The survey gave explicit and important knowledge of the need for education and training of the whole team, since radiation dose to the patient could vary a lot for the same kind of radiographic examination. It is essential to establish quality assurance protocols with defined responsibilities in the team in order to maintain high diagnostic accuracy for all examinations when using cone-beam computed tomography for patient examinations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Image and Functional Odontology, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, StockholmSweden.; Department of Hospital Physics, Danderyd Hospital, StockholmSweden.
authors.forename: Jerker Edén
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Strindberg
authors.affiliation: Oral Health Centre of Expertise in Southern Norway, Arendal Norway.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hol
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Radiology, Institute of Clinical Odontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Torgersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Radiology, Institute of Clinical Odontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Møystad
authors.affiliation: Division of Image and Functional Odontology, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, StockholmSweden.; Department of Hospital Physics, Danderyd Hospital, StockholmSweden.
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.affiliation: Division of Image and Functional Odontology, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, StockholmSweden.; Department of Hospital Physics, Danderyd Hospital, StockholmSweden.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Näsström
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital Physics, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm Sweden.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hellén-Halme
keywords: cone-beam computed tomography; dentistry; health care quality assurance; questionnaire; workflow