Use of dental photography in pediatric dentistry practice

This study assesses how pediatric dentists currently use dental photography in clinical practice, including the frequency, reasons, challenges faced, coping strategies, equipment used, and to examine differences based on gender, institution, title, and experience. An online survey with 29 questions, created using Google Forms, was distributed to 195 specialists, research assistants, and academicians in pediatric dentistry from January to June 2025. Pediatric dentists who volunteered and completed the survey were included in the study. Results were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21. Dental photography was used in pediatric dentistry to a limited extent, especially in trauma cases, and more frequently in university hospitals. The main challenges were cooperation and anatomical limitations. Although photography appeared to have no significant effect on child behavior, it enhanced communication with parents. While smartphone cameras were more widely used (p = 0.008), specialized lenses (p = 0.001) and alternative lighting equipment (p = 0.006) were less commonly used by female dentists. However, experienced dentists (p = 0.007) and academicians (p = 0.043) demonstrated higher awareness of data privacy. This research highlights the importance of evaluating dental photography practices among pediatric dentists and promoting their informed and appropriate application. Consequently, implementing structured educational programs to increase photography usage in clinical practice is essential.