Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge and attitude toward quality control in dental radiography among students of dentistry, allied dental sciences, and radiologic technology programs

Methods

A cross sectional survey was conducted using self-administered questionnaire on a convenience sample of 580 students from three universities in Jordan. The questionnaire was divided into sections that include personal sociodemographic variables, knowledge about quality assurance in dental radiography, and attitude toward quality assurance in dental radiography.

Results

A total of 286 students completed the questionnaire (response rate = 49.3%), of whom 70% were women. The respondents’ knowledge scores ranged from 12.2% (n= 35) to 35.2% (n= 100). The mean of the quality assurance knowledge scores for the whole study sample was 20.3% ± 14.5%, with no significant difference between men and women (P = 0.643). Allied dental sciences students showed significantly higher knowledge scores (25.0 ± 13.0) than dentistry (17.8 ± 14.40) or radiologic technology students (20.9 ± 14.8). The average attitude scores toward quality assurance in dental radiography was fairly good (69.5 ± 26.4) with no statistically significant differences by study program.

Conclusion

Knowledge of students about quality assurance in the three programs is inadequate. The participants’ attitude toward quality assurance was fairly good. The study provides feedback to dental schools to improve their curriculum by including quality assurance into students clinical practices. Further studies are requested to investigate the reasons behind this low level of knowledge.