Abstract

Purpose: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an excellent three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique. It was introduced in 1996. In developing countries including Sudan this technique has been recently introduced.

The aim of this study was to assess the current knowledge of dentists in University teaching hospitals and public hospitals in Khartoum State with regards to the usage and application of CBCT.

Material and method: After obtaining permission and ethical clearance from the responsible authorities, this study on CBCT was conducted among dentists in University and public hospitals by using a self-administered questionnaire to assess the knowledge on CBCT among dentists. The questionnaire was distributed among 250 dentists in Universities teaching hospitals and public hospitals in Khartoum state. It includes allocated information comprised demographic data (age, gender, years of employment, educational degree, duration of experience and working area) in addition to fifteen questions concerning) regarding the CBCT technology.

Result: 220 Dentist responded to the questionnaire. 2.7% have been found to have a high level of knowledge, 18.6% had an average level of knowledge, 54.1% low level and the remaining 20.9% had very low level of knowledge. A significant difference was noted among the category of gender (p=0.00). Based on educational level, the highest score of knowledge was found among specialist (p=0.004).

Conclusion: This study concludes that the knowledge of the dentists either general practitioners or specialists about cone beam computed tomography as a new imagining modality is inadequate.

Keywords: Knowledge; Cone beam computed tomography; Dentists