Purpose: The purpose of this study is to minimize dental hygienists' and patients' exposure to radiation and provide basic data for developing educational programs designed for improvement in dental hygienists' putting into practice radiation safety m...
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to minimize dental hygienists' and patients' exposure to radiation and provide basic data for developing educational programs designed for improvement in dental hygienists' putting into practice radiation safety management behaviors, by grasping the actual state of digital radiation safety management for dental hygienists who work at dental medical institutions, investigating factors that have effects on their knowledge, perception, and behavior, and analyzing their opinions about educational needs.
Methods: The subjects were 315 dental hygienists who currently worked at dental medical institutions including 132 dental clinic and 17 dental hospitals located at the Seoul and Gyeonggi districts. The data was collected from March 26, 2013 to April 11, 2013, using a structured questionnaire. As for data analysis, frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were calculated, and the multiple regression analysis, the correlation analysis, and the chi-square test were conducted, using SPSS window 18.0.
Results: First, the mean for digital radiation safety knowledge scored 8.48 on a 14-point scale, and the mean for perceptions scored 66.86 and the mean for behaviors 46.18 on a 75-point scale, respectively; and thus it was found that they perceived radiation safety management, but failed to practice it.
Second, as a result of analyzing factors that had effects on knowledge, it was found that knowledge was higher in case the radiation safety management protocol was prepared; and as for factors that had effects on perceptions, it was found that perceptions on radiation safety management were higher in the case of the married and in case the protocol was prepared. As a result of analyzing factors that had effects on behaviors, it was found that behaviors were lower in the case of dental clinics; and that behaviors were higher in case the protocol was prepared and that education in radiation safety management was experienced.
Third, as for the actual state of radiation protection behaviors in radiation safety management, the rate of wearing a personal exposure dosimeter was mere 12.4%. The reason for not wearing it was found to be 'Having no personal dosimeter' of 75.1%; and the reasons for not wearing protective devices were found to be 'Not getting accustomed to them' of 40.3%, followed by 'Too busy because of a heavy workload' of 37.5%.
Fourth, as for the relationships of knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors on digital radiation safety management, it was found that the higher the level of knowledge and perceptions, the higher the behaviors.
Fifth, as for whether educated in radiation safety management or not, and educational needs, 87.0% responded that they had no experience of education; and as for the reason for failing to be educated, 74.5% responded with 'Having no opportunity for education.' 94.0% responded that the education was necessary, and 91.1% responded that they would participate in the education. The survey showed that their favorite period of education was spring (54.6%), and that their favorite day of the week was a weekday (44.8%). As for the method of education, 48.3 % favored most a lecture using audio-visual aids; and as for their desired lecturer in education, 74.6 % favored most the radiological technologist. In addition, priority education that should be reinforced was found to be 'hospital's own education' (49.5%).
Conclusion: It was found that dental hygienists had the perceptions on radiation safety management, but failed to put them into practice. And thus, it is deemed that rules and regulations on radiation safety management should be reinforced, that work environment should be improved, and that educational programs satisfying dental hygienists' educational needs should be developed so as to improve their practicing radiation safety management behaviors.