Comparison of knowledge and perspectives toward cone-beam computed tomography among dentists in three Middle East regions: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate awareness, general attitudes and perspectives of a sample of dentists from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan regarding their knowledge and future expectations of cone-beam computed tomography. Materials and Methods: The study included a convenience sample of dentists from different specialties throughout the three regions. They were contacted through E-mail and dental social discussion groups and completed an online questionnaire. The data were collected, sorted, cross-tabulated, and analyzed in view of the objectives of the study, using descriptive analysis and Chi-square tests of significance. Results: Age, sex, and years of experience had no effect on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) knowledge, whereas education level and place of work had a significant effect (P = 0.001 and P = 0.05, respectively). A change in diagnosis or treatment plan was also significantly related to the need for CBCT (P = 0.01 and P = 0.015, respectively). Requesting a dentomaxillofacial radiology (DMFR) board program was significantly related to the dentist's concern about medicolegal issues but not to the decision to refer the patient to a radiologist. Conclusions: This study showed that having a higher education level and being in a tertiary workplace improved CBCT knowledge, and better knowledge about CBCT increased the number of patient referrals when the indications justified it. With the increasing demand for CBCT, there have been more changes in diagnoses and treatment plans, and thus, more dentists are requesting DMFR board programs in the region to avoid medicolegal issues.

Keywords

• Attitude
• cone-beam computed tomography
• dentistry
• knowledge
• medicolegal
• questionnaire