Children’s Dental Radiography Experiences and Parental Knowledge and Awareness on Radiation

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Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the past and present radiographic experiences of children, as well as their parents’ knowledge and awareness about radiation and radiation protection. Material and Method: The parents whose children were ordered dental X-rays at a university hospital participated in the study. A questionnaire was administered regarding the past and present radiologic experiences of their children, the use of protective measures during irradiation, their knowledge about the harmful effects of radiation and the protection. The chi-square test was used to statistically analyze the results. Results: One hundred and sixty-two parents participated. The patients’ average age was 8.91±2.69 years and 55.6% were girl. Only 10.5% of the children did not have any past radiography experience. The 11-14 age group had the highest past experience of radiographs (p=0.003). Protective coverings were used during the past and present X-ray experiences in ten (8.1%) and one (0.06%) child, respectively. Dental radiographs, predominantly periapical, were repeated in 19 children (11.7%). Of the parents, 25.9% and 6.8% stated that they had sufficient knowledge about the harmful effects of radiation and radiation protection, respectively. Conclusion: The present study revealed a need to tackle with the inadequateness regarding radiation safety and protection.