A Questionnaire Study on Knowledge and Awareness of Radiotherapy Among Dental Students

Background: Radiotherapy is crucial in managing head and neck cancers, impacting oral health.Dental students must understand its implications for effective patient care.Objective: This study aimed to assess the awareness of radiotherapy among dental students, identify knowledge gaps, and emphasize the need for improved educational interventions. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted over three months, surveying 105 dental students from a private college using a 10question questionnaire distributed via Google Forms.Results: Findings indicated that 75% of participants understood radiotherapy, while 78.1% recognized its side effects.Notably, 64.8% acknowledged the risk of osteoradionecrosis, and 86.7% identified salivary gland effects.Awareness of radiation units was adequate, with 68.6% identifying Curie and 61.9% recognizing Gray (Gy). Conclusion:While dental students demonstrated reasonable awareness of radiotherapy, curriculum enhancements are essential to address knowledge gaps, ensuring comprehensive patient care for those undergoing cancer treatment.