Masyte Vestina, Sefeldaite Simona, Venskutonis Tadas
Department of Dental and Oral Pathology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, KaunasLithuania.
Private practice, KaunasLithuania;
J Oral Maxillofac Res. 2021 Mar 31;12(1):e2. doi: 10.5037/jomr.2021.12102. eCollection 2021 Jan-Mar.
Digital radiography is an increasingly used technology in Lithuania. However, there is no published information about using cone-beam computed tomography. The aims of this cross-sectional study performed in Lithuania were (1) to obtain information about the prevalence and accessibility of digital radiography and cone-beam computed tomography usage, and (2) to estimate dental practitioners' knowledge about this diagnostic method and their need for education.
Questionnaires consisting of 31 questions were distributed during the 2019 International Dentist Congress in Lithuania.
This study analyses the data obtained from 248 respondents. Most of the clinicians use digital radiographic methods in their practice. The institutions usually have a digital dental X-ray machine, less often a digital panoramic X-ray machine, and least often a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) unit. Most dental practitioners performed 1 to 10 CBCT scans per month for adult patients and the most frequent reason for its use was implantation planning. Of the practitioners, 81.7% would like to improve their CBCT knowledge and skills.
The number of digital X-ray machines has increased throughout the last decade. Lithuanian dental practitioners do not excessively use cone-beam computed tomography. Some concerns were raised regarding respondents' knowledge about exposure factors and this diagnostic method's performance for paediatric patients. Additional training should be provided to Lithuanian dental specialists.
数字放射摄影在立陶宛是一种使用越来越广泛的技术。然而，关于使用锥形束计算机断层扫描的信息尚未公布。在立陶宛进行的这项横断面研究的目的是：（1）获取有关数字放射摄影和锥形束计算机断层扫描使用的患病率和可及性的信息，以及（2）评估牙科从业者对这种诊断方法的了解程度及其教育需求。
在2019年立陶宛国际牙医大会期间分发了由31个问题组成的问卷。
本研究分析了从248名受访者那里获得的数据。大多数临床医生在实践中使用数字放射摄影方法。这些机构通常有一台数字牙科X射线机，较少有数字全景X射线机，而最少有锥形束计算机断层扫描（CBCT）设备。大多数牙科从业者每月为成年患者进行1至10次CBCT扫描，使用它的最常见原因是种植计划。在这些从业者中，81.7%希望提高他们的CBCT知识和技能。
在过去十年中，数字X射线机的数量有所增加。立陶宛的牙科从业者不过度使用锥形束计算机断层扫描。对于受访者关于照射因素的知识以及这种诊断方法对儿科患者的适用性，人们提出了一些担忧。应该为立陶宛的牙科专家提供额外的培训。
