General Dentists' Knowledge and Attitude toward Prescriptions as well as Advantages and Disadvantages of Cone-beam Computed Tomography in Ilam, Iran, in 2019

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is one of the imaging methods in radiography that makes the ability of precise and 3D imaging of maxillofacial possible. It occurs with the minimum level of distortion and shows a decrease of danger that comes from the ray. Accordingly, it is known as an essential way of performing an accurate treatment. Therefore, the dentist's knowledge and attitude on giving prescriptions, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of CBCT have gained high importance.  This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitude of general dentists in Ilam about prescription cases, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the CBCT in 2018.

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 general dentists in Ilam, Iran, during 2018. A questionnaire was used to investigate the dentist's knowledge level, and the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22).

This study included 27 (54%) males and 23 (46%) females. The knowledge level about CBCT based on age and gender showed no statistical difference (P=0.23). Furthermore, regarding the relationship between the knowledge about CBCT and the work experience of the dentists, there was no significant difference in this regard (P=0.654). In addition, there was no significant difference between knowledge level about CBCT and participating in training courses (P=0.213). The maximum use of CBCT was for intraoral investigations. Moreover, the maximum cases of using CBCT was for extraoral investigations. The most important reason for not using CBCT was because of high cost (54%), and the most correct answers of the respondents were about knowledge and the application of CBCT in determining the position of the implants before surgery (96%). The knowledge of the general dentists was (47.884%) which was classified in a low group.

The findings from this study showed that the knowledge level of general dentists in Ilam about CBCT was nearly low, and the maximum level of the knowledge belonged to the experienced ones.