Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the quality of intraoral periapical radiographs (IOPA) taken by dental assistants
in the department of operative dentistry.
METHODOLOGY: The study design was cross-sectional descriptive type, non-probability convenient
sampling technique was used to achieve the calculated sample size. A total of 100 periapical
radiographs were collected for evaluation from department of operative dentistry at Hamdard University
Dental Hospital, Karachi. Pre, intra and post-operative radiographs were evaluated taken during
endodontic therapy. National Radiological Protection Board recommended three point quality scale was
used to analyze the IOPA radiographs into excellent, acceptable or unacceptable. The targets were set
according to the “Guidance Notes for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment”
recommendations.
RESULTS: A total 100 radiographs were evaluated, 32% were classified as excellent, 45% diagnostically
acceptable and 23% of the radiographs diagnostically unacceptable. Rejection rate analysis showed that
incorrect film positioning was the most frequent fault resulting in missing or obscured coronal/apical
area being the cause in 50% cases.
CONCLUSION: It has been concluded that frequent quality assessment and monitoring of dental team
and their training in dental radiography would help in achieving gold standards. Furthermore, following
standard guidelines increase the quality of the radiographs and enhance safety practices.
Syed Abrar Ali, Mehmood Hussain, Muhammad Shahzad, Fariha Irfan. (2018) Quality Analysis of Periapical Radiographs Taken by Dental Assistants, Journal of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Volume-17, Issue-4.
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