Knowledge and ability assessment of endodontists to prescribe and analyze cone beam computed tomography

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of knowledge about cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) by endodontists from the Metropolitan Area of Belém, Pará, Brazil. Material and methods: 151 questionnaires were spread containing 32 questions, 15 closed questions, 4 open and 13 mixed. Questions 1 to17 dealt with questions such as age; gender; geographic location where endodontists' office operates; year of graduation degree and of specialization in endodontics; owned equipment and questions about the conventional radiology practice at dental office. Questions 18 to 32 were related to knowledge about the CBCT and only those who reported having knowledge answered the questions 19 onwards. Results: 81 questionnaires were analyzed. 48 endodontists (59%) had some knowledge about CBCT, but among them, 5 never requested until that occasion. Regarding the radiation level, 76.75% have not any information about. The treatment plan of 36 (83.72%) those who requested CBCT changed. Conclusion: The CBCT imaging is slowly becoming an essential modality of imaging in the clinical practice of endodontists from the Metropolitan Area of Belém, Para, Brazil.