The value of a quality improvement programme for panoramic radiography: a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: To assess the value of a quality improvement programme for panoramic radiography.

Methods: A prospective, cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted in 40 dental practices in England. Practices were randomly assigned into two groups, an 'active' practice receiving regular feedback on film quality and a 'control' practice receiving no feedback until the completion of the study.

The use of radiography and the apex locator in endodontic treatment within the UK: a comparison between endodontic specialists and general dental practitioners.

Aim: To investigate the attitudes of general dental practitioners (GDPs) and specialist endodontists working in the UK in the use of radiography and apex locators during root canal treatment and to see if use was related to respondent's age and the year of graduation.

Methodology: A postal questionnaire was sent to 857 randomly selected GDPs and all endodontic specialists working in the UK (170). Non-responders were sent a further two mailings.

A study to determine the added value of 740 screening panoramic radiographs compared to intraoral radiography in the management of adult (>18 years) dentate patients in a primary care setting.

Objectives: To measure the added value of panoramic radiography in new dentate patients attending for routine treatment.

Methods: Thirty-seven general dental practitioners using panoramic radiographs routinely were recruited. Twenty dentate patients were identified prospectively by each participating dentist if they were new to the practice, attending for an examination and requesting any treatment deemed necessary.

A questionnaire study to derive information on the working environment, clinical training, use of ancillary staff and optimization of patient radiation dose within UK dental practice.

Aim: To evaluate the working environment of GDPs and Endodontists and the methods used to optimize patient radiation dose.

Methodology: A total of 857 GDPs and 170 specialist Endodontists were contacted. The responders, 603 of the former and 132 of the latter, completed a questionnaire covering practitioner demographics, pattern of practice, the use of radiographic techniques and the optimization of dose.

The impact of different viewing conditions on radiological file and working length measurement.

Aim: To determine the effect of different viewing conditions and observer experience upon the accuracy of file and working length measurements using analogue intra-oral radiographs.

Methodology: Twenty-five observers from a range of clinical backgrounds examined working length analogue periapical radiographs of 30 extracted teeth. Each participant measured both file (FL) and working length (WL) on each of the radiographs using three different viewing conditions consisting of a viewing box, a viewing box with film masking and a viewing box with film masking and x2 magnification.