Assessment of radiology baseline knowledge of freshman North American dental students prior to any formal instruction.

INTRODUCTION There is a wide variation in the knowledge related to oral radiology. This study aims to assess the prior knowledge of radiology among freshman dental students prior to beginning any formal dental school instruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS 139 newly matriculated freshman dental students were asked to complete a seven-question radiology take home survey regarding their prior knowledge. The questionnaire was built within their course site and was presented prior to beginning the radiology lectures. RESULTS The responses were varied for all seven questions based on previous experiences and existing knowledge. Significant variation was noted in responses to Q4, Q6, and Q7 as opposed to Qs 1-3 and 5. Many students believed that the acquisition of radiographs should be selective. The acquisition of radiographs in pregnant women yielded comments in line with the belief that dose and frequency of radiation exposure would impact the health of the pregnant woman and developing fetus. Additionally, many students agreed with the statement regarding orthodontists over-radiating children as reported in the New York Times. Perceptions based on social media and news outlets needs to be addressed and changed in a dental school setting based on evidence. CONCLUSION Dental school instruction must use the cues from surveys similar to that used in this research and structure their instruction to increase the critical teaching of radiology. The eventual goal of such an instruction would be to have a scientifically accurate information and remove the perceptions that the students came with when they began their dental education.