Level of Knowledge on Radiation Protection in Roentgen Photo-taking among Clinical Dental Students

Abstract

Radiography in dentistry is a device that is often used. The images produced from radiographs are
significant for dentists, especially to see any abnormalities that are not visible or unclear on clinical examination so
that they can assist in making a diagnosis, determining treatment plans, and assessing treatment success. Besides
having benefits, radiography can also cause damage to normal human cells or tissues. The danger caused by this
radiation can be overcome by radiation protection. This study aimed to determine the knowledge of clinical
clerkship students regarding radiation protection when taking dental x-rays at the Dental and Oral Hospital of
Universitas Syiah Kuala (RSGM). This type of research is descriptive, with a total of 305 subjects. The data was
Collected through the distribution of questionnaires. The results showed that there were 44 (14.4%) students who
had a high level of knowledge, 159 (52.1%) moderate, and 102 (33.4%) low. It was concluded that most young
dentists at RSGM had an intermediate level of knowledge about radiation protection when taking x-rays.
KEYWORDS: Radiography, radiation protection, level of knowledge, Clinical Clerkship Students