A Clinical Study to Assess the Quality of Dental Intraoral Periapical Radiological Reports

The implementation of a quality management system in healthcare is critical for improving clinical performance. In dentistry, assessing the quality of intraoral periapical (IOPA) radiological reporting is vital for ensuring accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of IOPA radiological reports produced by dental students over the past 5 years in a faculty of dentistry in Malaysia, focusing on completeness and identifying areas for improvement.

A retrospective clinical study was conducted to assess the IOPA reports using predefined radiological criteria. These reports were evaluated for essential factors such as patient information, type of radiograph, justification for the radiograph, and specific findings like resorption, supernumerary teeth, and proximity of roots to anatomical structures.

The audit found that 100% of the reports correctly included details like patient age, radiograph type, and evidence of justification. However, deficiencies were noted in other areas, with a 65% retake rate and complete omission of the ICDAS radiological scoring system (0%).

Despite high accuracy in certain areas, the findings revealed several shortcomings. Further training is required for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, along with yearly audits using a larger sample size to ensure adherence to recommended criteria.