Diagnostic radiographers’ perspectives on dental radiography in selected provinces in South Africa
Background: Dental radiography forms part of the scope and training for a diagnostic radiographer in South Africa; yet there is limited published evidence related to these professionals’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on dental radiography. Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, atti...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Afrikaans |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/3043 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1839581964980453376 |
|---|---|
| author | Keshini Govindasami Shenuka Singh |
| author_facet | Keshini Govindasami Shenuka Singh |
| author_sort | Keshini Govindasami |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Dental radiography forms part of the scope and training for a diagnostic radiographer in South Africa; yet there is limited published evidence related to these professionals’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on dental radiography.
Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of diagnostic radiographers on dental radiography.
Setting: This study was conducted in three South African provinces, namely, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape.
Methods: This study used a cross-sectional, correlational design, using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. An online questionnaire was used for data collection, and the data were analysed using SPSS version 29.0.
Results: A study response rate of N = 207 was obtained, where 75.4% of participants agreed that they were aware of what dental radiography entails, 68.1% of participants reported not having adequate knowledge of the necessary dental radiography techniques and 72.4% of participants did not know the key anatomical positioning landmarks in dental radiography. Almost 68.6% of participants disagreed with being able to practice dental radiography techniques confidently and independently. About 87.5% of participants agreed that they are willing and keen to learn about dental radiography, and 89.9% of participants were open to gaining clinical experience in dental radiography.
Conclusion: There were inconsistencies in participants’ dental-specific knowledge and practical skills. There was a positive attitude among participants who showed a willingness to learn dental radiography.
Contribution: This study reiterates the value of investing in continuous professional development activities to address identified knowledge, attitude and practice gaps among diagnostic radiographers in dental radiography. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-07045931947848d8a13257ae1a0fe5ad |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1025-9848 2071-9736 |
| language | Afrikaans |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-07045931947848d8a13257ae1a0fe5ad2025-08-04T09:08:15ZafrAOSISHealth SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences1025-98482071-97362025-07-01300e1e810.4102/hsag.v30i0.30431285Diagnostic radiographers’ perspectives on dental radiography in selected provinces in South AfricaKeshini Govindasami0Shenuka Singh1Discipline of Public Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanDiscipline of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanBackground: Dental radiography forms part of the scope and training for a diagnostic radiographer in South Africa; yet there is limited published evidence related to these professionals’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on dental radiography. Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of diagnostic radiographers on dental radiography. Setting: This study was conducted in three South African provinces, namely, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional, correlational design, using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. An online questionnaire was used for data collection, and the data were analysed using SPSS version 29.0. Results: A study response rate of N = 207 was obtained, where 75.4% of participants agreed that they were aware of what dental radiography entails, 68.1% of participants reported not having adequate knowledge of the necessary dental radiography techniques and 72.4% of participants did not know the key anatomical positioning landmarks in dental radiography. Almost 68.6% of participants disagreed with being able to practice dental radiography techniques confidently and independently. About 87.5% of participants agreed that they are willing and keen to learn about dental radiography, and 89.9% of participants were open to gaining clinical experience in dental radiography. Conclusion: There were inconsistencies in participants’ dental-specific knowledge and practical skills. There was a positive attitude among participants who showed a willingness to learn dental radiography. Contribution: This study reiterates the value of investing in continuous professional development activities to address identified knowledge, attitude and practice gaps among diagnostic radiographers in dental radiography.https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/3043diagnostic radiographerdental radiographyperspectivesknowledge, practice. |
| spellingShingle | Keshini Govindasami Shenuka Singh Diagnostic radiographers’ perspectives on dental radiography in selected provinces in South Africa Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences diagnostic radiographer dental radiography perspectives knowledge, practice. |
| title | Diagnostic radiographers’ perspectives on dental radiography in selected provinces in South Africa |
| title_full | Diagnostic radiographers’ perspectives on dental radiography in selected provinces in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Diagnostic radiographers’ perspectives on dental radiography in selected provinces in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diagnostic radiographers’ perspectives on dental radiography in selected provinces in South Africa |
| title_short | Diagnostic radiographers’ perspectives on dental radiography in selected provinces in South Africa |
| title_sort | diagnostic radiographers perspectives on dental radiography in selected provinces in south africa |
| topic | diagnostic radiographer dental radiography perspectives knowledge, practice. |
| url | https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/3043 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT keshinigovindasami diagnosticradiographersperspectivesondentalradiographyinselectedprovincesinsouthafrica AT shenukasingh diagnosticradiographersperspectivesondentalradiographyinselectedprovincesinsouthafrica |