An assessment of knowledge and perception of postgraduate students and interns toward radiation protection protocols: A questionnaire-based study in dental colleges

Background: Recognition of the harmful effects of radiation and the risks involved has led to the development of radiation protection protocols and guidelines. Aims and Objectives: To assess the knowledge and perception of postgraduate students and interns toward radiation protection protocols in dental colleges. Materials and Method: This study was conducted among 200 individuals (Equal number of interns and PG students). Each participant was given a structured questionnaire (with 20 questions). Answers to the questions were in the form of multiple choices. Correct responses to the questions were allocated one mark while wrong responses received no mark. First 10 questions were to evaluate the knowledge of dental students in radiation biology and remaining ten questions were to assess how well the participants were correlating their knowledge to practice dental radiography. Results: The knowledge and perception level in regard to radiation biology and radiation protection protocols were noted to be higher with postgraduate students than in the interns. Conclusion: The majority of interns and minority of postgraduate students had limited knowledge about various aspects of radiation biology and radiation protection protocols, and they should implement recent and appropriate radiation protection practices and guidelines. This helps in protection of both the patients and operator from the harmful effects of radiation.