Use of radiographs for periodontal diagnosis in private practice

The aim of the present study was to determine the percentage of dentists who use radiographic examination on the initial appointment, and establish the relation between the use of periodontal probe and graduation year. Dentists were interviewed in their private offices in three cities in Rio Grande do Sul. They were asked about the routine use of radiographic examination and, if applicable, what technique was applied and what clinical instrument was used at the first appointment. Opened and closed questions were included in the interview and for some of them more than one answer was possible. A significant number of dentists (62.9%) reported some kind of radiographic examination at the initial appointment. Among the radiographic techniques, the periapical was the most cited (74.3%), followed by the panoramic (36.2%) and bite-wing (32.9%) techniques. There was an association between the use of periodontal probe and the use of radiographic examination at the initial appointment. Dentists who used periodontal probe used radiographic examination more frequently (p=0.010). More recently graduated dentists (1991-2005) used radiographic examination more than the others (p=0.022). In conclusion, a large number of dentists reported the use of radiographic examination at the initial appointment. There was an association between the use of this examination technique and the use of the periodontal probe; recently graduated dentists used radiographic examinations more frequently than the others.