Survey on the Knowledge of Dental Radiology among Some Dental Hygiene Students and Satisfaction with Virtual Reality-Based Learning Media during Dental Radiographic Practice Using VR

Objective: This study aims to investigate the characteristics related to radiology education and use, including basic knowledge of radiation, self-awareness of knowledge level, recognition of the risks of dental radiation, anxiety about dental radiation exposure, perception of policies related to dental radiation, and satisfaction with virtual reality (VR)-based learning media for dental radiographic practice.Additionally, it seeks to provide foundational data for identifying learning directions and priorities when teaching dental hygiene students about dental radiographic practice.Methods: From March 2 to December 31, 2024, 200 dental hygiene students were divided into two groups.Traditional dental radiographic practice using a phantom and radiographic equipment was compared to VR-based dental radiographic practice.Data were collected and analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of VR-based education media.Results: Awareness of radiation exposure positively correlated with the perceived realism of the VR practice environment (r=0.190),perceptions of virtual patient practice (r=0.145), and satisfaction with learning media (r=0.178).Realism perception in the VR practice environment positively correlated with perceptions of virtual patient practice (r=0.755) and learning media satisfaction (r=0.732).Perceptions of virtual patient practice also positively correlated with learning media satisfaction (r=0.694). Conclusion:Although dental hygiene students possess knowledge about radiation safety management, their practical application is inadequate.Effective measures are necessary to address their high levels of anxiety about radiation hazards.