Intraoral Imaging in Dental Private Practice - A Rectangular Collimator Study

To gain a better understanding of the extent to which rectangular collimation is being used in private practice and the barriers to adoption by practitioners.

Licensed dentists in private practice were asked to answer a survey composed of 17 multiple-choice questions and 1 open-ended question regarding demographics, radiation safety, image receptor type, intraoral imaging techniques and use of rectangular collimation.

Among all participants (n = 82), 86.6% used digital systems (n = 71) and 13.4% conventional film (n = 11). Most (74.0%, n = 60) were aware of the benefits of using rectangular collimation, with 5.5% reporting not knowing of the existence of this device (n = 3). Only 12.9% of the dentists reported using rectangular collimation routinely (n = 10). The youngest and oldest age groups had the lowest compliance rates, 5.6% and 0%, respectively.

Although 74.0%, (n = 60) of private practitioners were aware of the benefits of using rectangular collimation to reduce radiation dose, only 12.2% (n = 10) used it routinely for intraoral imaging. Barriers to implementing rectangular collimation in private practice settings included challenges in training support staff and fear of an increase in the occurrence of technical errors that would result in re-exposure of patients.