A survey of quality assessment, film faults and pathology in digital panoramic images

Abstract

The study examines the ability of dental students and registered dentists to assess dental panoramic radiographs. Participants answered a multiple-choice questionnaire before and after a training session. The aspects of the radiographs to be assessed by the participants were: the quality of the images, the recognition and correct identification of film faults, and the identification of hard and soft tissue pathology. The results of the study found that there were no significant differences between the dental students and dentist/specialist groups in identifying the quality of panoramic images. There was improvement in the identification of film faults following training, although students tended to over-estimate faults. There was also improvement in the recognition of hard and soft tissue pathology, along with differential diagnosis, after training The results of the study strongly imply a need for continuing education for both dental clinicians and dental students in the interpretation of panoramic images, including the recognition of film faults, and their effect on the misdiagnosis of pathology.