COMMON RADIOGRAPHIC ERRORS MADE BY UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS IN INTRAORAL PERIAPICAL RADIOGRAPHY

Abstract

Background: Radiographs greatly aid in the diagnosis and treatment planning of dental therapy.  Radiographs are important for accurate diagnosis of any underlying condition thus, any errors or discrepancies in the radiographs quality greatly impact the treatment provided. Retaking radiographs not only leads to loss of time and money but also causes unnecessary exposure of radiation ison patients, the clinician and the existing environment. Thus it is important for a clinician to take radiographs under a minimal time period, thus decreasing the harmful effects of radiation exposure to humans.

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the common radiographic errors made by undergraduate dental students of pvt. dental college

Methods and Methodology: A university based setting was conducted. A sample size of 100 radiographs consisting of errors were taken in as the sample.  To eliminate bias,  a randomized sampling method was employed. The data was collected and Chi square test was applied to find the association of the radiographic errors made by the dental students.

Results : Results showed that the most frequently made radiographic error was conecut which was 41% (21% - anterior; 20%- posterior) followed by elongation which was the 2nd most commonly 21% (10% - anterior; 11% - posterior) encountered radiographic error by dental undergraduate students. 17% ( 9% - anterior; 8% - posterior) of the radiographs denoted foreshortening. The least made radiographic error was found to be overexposure with a frequency of 9% (4% - anterior; 5% - posterior). The 2nd most least encountered radiographic error was found to underexposure of 12% (6% - anterior; 6% - posterior).

Conclusion: This study showed that consideration of these factors may be

beneficial for a high-quality education and a reduction in radiography retakes throughout undergraduate dentistry students' training periods thereby reducing radiation exposure..