Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 100 dentists (80 males, 20 females) with 34.8 years mean age and response rate of 74.1 % using a questionnaire including three sections of demographic data, knowledge and practice. The knowledge section included 12 questions and each question with a correct answer received 1 score. The dentists practice was assessed by 16 items. The correlation between specimens' demographic factors and different measures of their practice was assessed by Spearman Correlation ratio while the effect of dentists' factors on the knowledge scores was analyzed by multiple linear regression.
Results: The mean knowledge score were 6.85 of overall 12 scores with no factors including age, gender, time passed from the graduation and the qualifying school influencing it significantly. 95.8% used round collimators, and 70.8% used E-speed films. Furthermore, 61.9% reported to use parallel technique for periapical clichés, 97% manual processing of films and 64% said to use protective wall against x-ray exposure. The use of lead apron was shown in 13% of the respondents, thyroid collar in 7%, dosimeters in 3% and adjustment of exposure time regarding the tooth and radiography area was seen in 64%. 31 % changed their position according to the tube direction and 48% were used to take 40-80 intra-oral films per month.
Conclusions: The study showed a relatively poor knowledge of the dentists' towards radiation protection. Due to shortcomings in the use of measures like thyroid collar, lead apron, digital imaging devices or rectangular collimators, it can be concluded that the patient protection utilized less concerns.