Assesment oti teaching and use ot digital radiagraph methads in dentistry schools in RS

Abstract

This research evaluated the current stage of teaching and use of digital radiographic methods in Dentistry Schools in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Professors of two different Dentistry specialties (pe- dodontologyand dental radiology) were invited to answer some ques- tions on digital radiographic me- thods. The results showed that only one school develops clinical/ laboratorial activities with digital systems. Theoretical activities are considered by five Radiology dis- ciplines and two Pediatric ones. The high cost of digital systems and the lack of a legal base to con- sider a digital image as a certified document were considered rea- sons for not using the systems. However, the majority of the in- quired professors affirmed that digital images show advantages, as the density and contrast post- processing; the reduction of the exposure time in relation to the conventional method and the eli- mination of chemical processing. ln conclusion, digital radiography is out of the current stage in den- tal education in Dentistry Scho- ols in the South ofBrazil. Key words: computerized diag- nosis, image diagnosis, pedodon- tology, radiology.