Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Vol 30, Issue 4 197-202, Copyright © 2001 by British Institute of Radiology

ARTICLES

Decision criteria and characteristics of Norwegian general dental practitioners selecting digital radiography

A. Wenzel and A. Moystad
Department of Oral Radiology, Royal Dental College, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate Norwegian general dental practitioners' decision criteria and characteristics for choosing digital radiographic equipment. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all dental practitioners in Norway (n = 3940). They were categorised on the basis of their responses as either a 'digital radiography' (DR) or 'non-digital radiography' (non-DR) dentist. Demographic, clinical, and electronic technology variables were recorded. Dentists ranked on a six-point scale their reasons for choosing or not choosing digital radiography. Their responses were analysed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Two thousand, one hundred and ninety-nine dentists (56%) replied. Three hundred and nine (14%), (219 men, 86 women and four not stated) had chosen to use digital radiography. The logistic regression analysis revealed that gender, age and years in dentistry were not significant factors in determining their decision, whereas working in a private or group practice was. The number of computers in the practice was the most important of the electronic technology variables. The non-DR dentists strongly agreed that 'digital radiography is too expensive' and were 'satisfied with film'. The DR dentists strongly agreed that the 'use of chemicals can be avoided', 'patient dose is reduced', and 'archiving is facilitated'. CONCLUSION: Working in a private or group practice or using multiple computers were significant factors in choosing digital radiography.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Brian and G. Williamson Digital radiography in dentistry: a survey of Indiana dentists Dentomaxillofac. Radiol., January 1, 2007; 36(1): 18 - 23. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A Wenzel A review of dentists' use of digital radiography and caries diagnosis with digital systems. Dentomaxillofac. Radiol., September 1, 2006; 35(5): 307 - 314. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G Li, P. van der Stelt, J. Verheij, R Speller, A Galbiati, F Psomadellis, R Turchetta, S Theodoridis, G Hall, B. Avset, et al. End-user survey for digital sensor characteristics: a pilot questionnaire study. Dentomaxillofac. Radiol., May 1, 2006; 35(3): 147 - 151. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Gijbels, D. Debaveye, M. Vanderstappen, and R. Jacobs Digital radiographic equipment in the Belgian dental office Radiat Prot Dosimetry, December 1, 2005; 117(1-3): 309 - 312. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Wenzel Bitewing and Digital Bitewing Radiography for Detection of Caries Lesions J. Dent. Res., July 1, 2004; 83(suppl_1): C72 - C75. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Berkhout, D. Beuger, G. Sanderink, and P. van der Stelt The dynamic range of digital radiographic systems: dose reduction or risk of overexposure? Dentomaxillofac. Radiol., January 1, 2004; 33(1): 1 - 5. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G Bahrami, C Hagstrom, and A Wenzel Bitewing examination with four digital receptors Dentomaxillofac. Radiol., September 1, 2003; 32(5): 317 - 321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Berkhout, G. Sanderink, and P. Van der Stelt Does digital radiography increase the number of intraoral radiographs? A questionnaire study of Dutch dental practices Dentomaxillofac. Radiol., March 1, 2003; 32(2): 124 - 127. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Wenzel Two Decades of Computerized Information Technologies in Dental Radiography J. Dent. Res., September 1, 2002; 81(9): 590 - 593. [Full Text] [PDF]