Knowledge and behavior of dental students on radiation: A cross-sectinal and qualitative (mixed) study.

The aim of this thesis is to investigate whether the knowledge acquired by students of dentistry about radiation protection education is sufficient and permanent, to evaluate the effect of this knowledge on the attitudes and behaviors of the students and its applicability in the field. This study was conducted as a mixed cross-sectional and qualitative study. The study was realized by using three methods of data collection techniques: questionnaire, interview and observation. The questionnaire consisted of 32 likert-type, open-ended and closed-ended mixed questions explaining 65% of the total variance. Data were collected through Google Form. In addition, one-on-one interviews were conducted with a total of 16 students, 8 students from each university, using a 6-question semi-structured interview form, and in addition, data were collected with an environment and behavior monitoring form consisting of 22 items. The mixed questionnaire, which was prepared in line with the purpose of the study, was delivered online in line with ethical rules to the 4th and 5th grade students of two faculties of dentistry in Istanbul, one of which is a state and the other a foundation university. When the obtained data were analyzed, it was seen that the gender, school and class variables yielded statistically significant results. When the survey data were evaluated, it was revealed that there were some deficiencies in the theoretical knowledge of occupational radiation concepts and it was realized that the pandemic had a significant effect on this. For example, the rate of students who said that they could fully define the concept of ionizing radiation was 16.1%, which is a very low rate. Similarly, it was observed that they did not have enough information about the stochastic and deterministic effects. An average of 20% of the students stated that they had knowledge about doses and types of radiation fields. However, high rates of positive results were obtained regarding the protection methods that should be used against radiation and personal protectors. Theoretically, it was observed that Marmara University students were more knowledgeable about the use of personal protective equipment and more sensitive about protection measures than Yeditepe University students. It was thought that the most important reason for this may be the negative impact of the pandemic on education. Because Marmara University starts its education on radiation in the 2nd grade, the 4th and 5th grade students who participated in the study were able to receive education on these issues in the year before the pandemic. This shows that the effect of education on theoretical knowledge is very important. The most important result obtained in the qualitative part of the study was that both university students were aware of their inadequacies about the risks of radiation, and although they knew the protection measures, they did not show the necessary behavior in practice, but this situation caused discomfort for them. It was understood that they were ready to take responsibility in this regard, knew that they needed to be more careful and wanted complementary training.