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Dentomaxillofacial radiology in Australia and dentist satisfaction with radiology reports
Author(s) -
Selim DG,
Sexton C,
Monsour P
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
australian dental journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1834-7819
pISSN - 0045-0421
DOI - 10.1111/adj.12642
Subject(s) - medicine , specialty , family medicine , patient satisfaction , radiology , dentistry , nursing
Abstract Background Dentomaxillofacial Radiology ( DMFR ) is comprised of the smallest cohort of specialists in Australia. A survey was undertaken to assess awareness of DMFR , radiology reporting and referring protocols as well as dental practitioners’ satisfaction with their radiology reporting arrangements. Methods An original online survey created using Checkbox † was sent to dental practitioners. The survey was promoted on Australian‐based dental Facebook forums and emailed to targeted members via Australian professional dental associations. Results A total of 399 responses were received, with over 80% of respondents aware of DMFR as a specialty. Approximately 40% of practitioners were self‐reporting their imaging. There was correlation between increased satisfaction with external reporting and utilization of DMFR services and decreased satisfaction with medical radiology services. More than 90% of general dentists and greater than 85% of dental specialists prefer DMFR reports to medical radiology reports. Approximately 80% of practitioners believed that their satisfaction would change positively if they had access to a DMFR report. Conclusion The research indicates a high degree of self‐reporting or non‐reporting by dental practitioners. There is low satisfaction with external reporting performed by Medical Radiologists primarily due to a lack of dental knowledge or detail and a preference for DMF Radiology reports.