Abstract

Objective:  The main purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge and awareness of cone beam computed tomography among the final year dental students and interns.

Materials and methods: A closed ended questionnaire comprising 15 questions would be given to the final year BDS student and interns of our institution. Their responses would be analyzed and tabulated.

Results: This questionnaire was returned by 100 participants, out of the administered participant number of 120. The entire study was carried out among the final years and interns and hence their age was in the range of 22-24 years. Out of the total 41 interns, all 41 felt that there is a need to use CBCT in their professional career. Out of the 59 final years, 94.9% felt that they would use CBCT in their professional career while 5.1% said they would not prefer to use CBCT in their career. Among the total interns sample of 41, 19.5% wanted to use CBCT for orthodontic assessment while in final years, 10.2% wanted to use CBCT for orthodontic assessment. 48.5% in internship wanted to use for implant assessment while among final years 42.4% wanted to use CBCT primarily for implant assessment. The third option of evaluation for cyst and tumours was chosen by 17.1% of interns and 16.9% of final years. The option of evaluation of impacted teeth, 9.7% of interns had opted and 15.3% of final years had opted the option. The option 5 of trauma cases was chosen by 4.9% was opted by interns and 16.9% was chosen by final years.  19.5% interns felt that CBCT can be used for imaging TMJ disk disorders while 16.9% of final years felt that CBCT can be used. Majority of interns 48.7% and 38.9% of final years thought that they cannot use CBCT for TMJ disk disorders. While only 17.1% of interns thought CBCT may be used for TMJ disk disorders and 27.1% of final years only thought CBCT may be used for TMJ disk disorders. A minimal number of 14.6% of interns and 16.9%of final years did not know if CBCT can be used for TMJ imaging. 40 final years (67.8%) and 29 (70.17%) of interns felt that the primary advantage of CBCT is the lesser radiation required. About 13.5% of final years and 19.5% of interns felt that the rapidity of image acquisition was the primary advantage. For the option of faster image processing as the advantage only 6.7% of final years and 9.7% of interns felt it as an advantage. Only 13.7% of final years chose date reconstruction is faster as an advantage of CBCT.  Among the interns only 36.5% of them were aware of dentascan and among the final years only 30.5% were aware of the dentascan. The majority of interns 68.3% and final years 67.8% felt it is mandatory to have the education at the 3^rd year level. 48.7% final years and 47.5% of interns preferred to obtain information through faculty lectures. The next preferred method among the interns 31.7% was seminar while only 16.9% of final years felt that the preferred method was seminar. The next preferred method among final years 32.2% was internet while only 17.1% of interns preferred.  Both final years 50.8% and interns 70.7% felt that the teaching of CBCT was adequate. Only 2.4% interns and 6.7% of final years felt that the teaching was not adequate. Only 26.8% of interns and 42.4% of final years felt that the method of teaching was just adequate.

Conclusion: The present study shows better awareness of CBCT among the final years and interns. The information obtained from the study also highlighted the need for CBCT for implant placement. This study also suggests that more awarenss and knowledge should be gained on this emerging new technology for better diagnosis and treatment planning.

Keywords: CBCT, questionnaire, implant