Knowledge and Attitude of Cone Beam CT- A Questionnaire Based Study among Saudi Dental Students

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) among undergraduate (UGS) and postgraduate (PGS) Saudi female dental students in College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al Monwarah.

Study Design: Observational cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al Monwarah, Saudi Arabia, between January 2016 till October 2016.

Methodology: This study incorporated 108 female dental students. The information was assembled through an online anonymous pre-prepared questionnaire consisted of 15 structured close-ended questions. Descriptive statistics calculated in terms of frequencies and percentages by Chi-Square test.

Results: Our study showed that the majority of participants knew CBCT (93.8%). Awareness of CBCT was nearly similar between UGS (92.9%) and PGS (100.0%). The highest percentage of participants (67.9%) acquired information about CBCT from faculty lessons. Only three (3.7%) did not work with digital radiography. Most of the UGS agreed that the faculty provided adequate education regarding CBCT (70%), in contrast with PGS who disagreed (90.9%). 86.4% of contributors supposed it is needed for CBCT to be available at dental faculties. There was a high satisfaction of using CBCT amongst UGS (78.6%) and PGS (90.9%).

Conclusion: The study participants’ responses reflect the importance of CBCT in the dental field. Nevertheless, the study necessitates that dental school curriculum should include adequate CBCT practical training and its integration with other clinical courses to improve students’ basic knowledge and interpretation regarding this recent technology.