Assessment of dental students’ knowledge towards ionizing radiation in dentistry: a cross-sectional study

Background: Dental radiography, a pivotal diagnostic technique in dentistry, plays a significant role in patient care. Despite its indispensability, the use of ionizing radiation in dental radiography entails inherent risks. Dental students, as future practitioners, bear the responsibility of acquiring a thorough knowledge of radiation protection to ensure the safety of both patients and operators. Aim: This study seeks to evaluate the levels of awareness, knowledge, and approach regarding ionizing radiation among dental students enrolled in the dentistry program at Jazan University (JU). Material and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was carried out involving 82 dental students, with a participant distribution of 63 males (77%) and 19 females (23%) across different academic years. The survey utilized a structured questionnaire designed to assess awareness regarding deterministic and stochastic effects of ionizing radiation, as well as various aspects of radiation protection practices. Demographic factors, including gender and academic year, were scrutinized for their potential impact on radiation protection awareness. The collected data underwent statistical analysis using chi-square tests implemented in SPSS to explore any significant associations. Results: The study included 82 dental students with varying age distributions. Age-wise, 39% fell within the 21–23 yr range, 31% were between 18–20 yr, 24% ranged from 24–26 yr, and 6% were older than 26 yr. Participants were distributed across different academic years, with the largest group being fourth-year students (25%), followed by fifth-year students (15%). Most participants (91%) recognized the harm of dental X-rays. Awareness varied by topic, with 52-90% awareness rates. Female students showed a higher awareness of certain topics. Female students exhibited higher awareness of the National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP) and International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommendations and the practice of standing behind lead barriers during exposure Conclusion: Overall awareness of radiation protection was high among dental students, but there were variations by gender and academic year. Tailored educational interventions are needed to ensure comprehensive understanding and promote responsible practices.