ATTITUDE OF DENTAL SURGEONS REGARDING RADIATION PROTECTION IN TEACHING DENTAL HOSPITALS OF PESHAWAR.

Objective: To determine attitude of dental surgeons regarding radiation protection in teaching dental hospitals of Peshawar. Materials and Methods: It was a cross sectional study, carried out in all the teaching dental hospitals of Peshawar. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed amongst all the house officers who were present and willing to participate in the study. The questionnaire included both open and close ended questions regarding radiation protection. Descriptive data was analyzed using frequency tables and categorical variables was analyzed using chi-square test. Results: Majority of house officers reported that they remain in the room with the patients while taking the radiographs, most of them belonging to a public dental college i.e. (74%). Only 7% from the public sector dental hospital reported that they wear protective lead apron as compared to private dental teaching hospitals i.e. Private teaching hospital A, (35%) and B (37%). Regarding ALARA guidelines for radiation safety, none of the participant form the public dental college was aware, while less than 10 % of participants from the private dental hospitals were aware. Majority of the participants were unsatisfied with the radiation protection measures provided at their institutes. Conclusion: This study concluded that attitude regarding radiation protection standards amongst house officers in teaching dental hospitals of Peshawar requires marked improvement to prevent radiation related hazards.