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Available online at ajdhs.com 

Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences 
Open Access to Dental and Medical Research 

Copyright  © 2024 The  Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the CC BY-NC 4.0 
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use provided 

the original author and source are credited 
 

 

 

Knowledge and Awareness of Post Graduate and Undergraduate 
Dental Students About CBCT: A Questionnaire Study 

Sarah Samsu Nisha. K *1 , Dr. Aravind Swamy R M 2 , Dr. Thalaimalai Saravanan 3  

1 CRRI, Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Dental Sciences, Padalam, Tamil Nadu 603308, India 

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Karpaga vinayaga Institute of Dental Sciences, Padalam, Tamil Nadu 603308, India 

3 Professor, Department of Oral medicine and Radiology, Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Dental Sciences, Padalam, Tamil Nadu 603308, India 

Article Info: 
_____________________________________________ 
Article History: 

Received   19 December 2023     
Reviewed  02 January 2024 
Accepted   17 January 2024 
Published 15 March 2024 

_____________________________________________ 
Cite this article as:  

Nisha KSS, Swamy RMA, Saravanan T, Knowledge 
and Awareness of Post Graduate and 
Undergraduate Dental Students About CBCT: A 
Questionnaire Study, Asian Journal of Dental and 
Health Sciences. 2024; 4(1):9-15 

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/ajdhs.v4i1.65  
_____________________________________________ 

*Address for Correspondence:   

Sarah Samsu Nisha K, CRRI, Karpaga Vinayaga 
Institute of Dental Sciences, Padalam, Tamil Nadu 
603308, India 

Abstract 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Aim: To assess the precise knowledge and awareness of the Cone beam computed tomography 
(CBCT) among post graduate and undergraduate dental students.  

Materials and Methods: The data in questionnaire were obtained through the completely filled 
200 google forms which includes undergraduate and postgraduate dental students. The obtained 
data was analysed category wise. 

Results: A definite gap exists between undergraduate students and postgraduates in awareness, 
knowledge and handling capacity. Postgraduate has better knowledge on interpretation than 
undergraduates. The right CBCT education should be given to dental students, backed by real-world 
experience and the advice of oral and maxillofacial radiologists. 

Conclusion: To guarantee greater understanding among dentists, further efforts should be made to 
raise awareness of this imaging modality. These efforts could include adding CBCT to the BDS 
curriculum and holding lectures or Continuing Dental Education (CDE) sessions. 

Keywords: CBCT, dental students, awareness, knowledge, CDE 

 

INTRODUCTION 

Selection of pertinent imaging or diagnostic technique is an 
important step in the management of diseases and shield the 
patient from deleterious effects of ionizing radiations. 
Continual research is focused toward better image acquirement 
with emphasis over minimum harmful effects of radiation. Cone 
beam computed tomography (CBCT) in our country has 
obtained popularity among dentists and is most preferable 
imaging modality in recent times. However, lack of inclusion of 
CBCT in undergraduate curriculum is a matter of concern1. 

CBCT uses a diverse cone shaped or pyramid shaped source of 
ionizing. The two-dimensional area detector fixed on a rotating 
gantry to offer multiple sequential transmission images that are 
incorporated directly forming volumetric or three-dimensional 
information. The complex computed algorithm was performed 
on this data set, allowing the operator to extract multiplanar 
reconstructions of various thickness in any plane and to 
provide precise three-dimensional image. The introduction of 
CBCT imaging had shifted the dentists from a 2D to a volumetric 
approach in maxillofacial imaging. Hence it is important for 
every undergraduate dental student to obtain knowledge about 
CBCT2.This survey study aims to assess the exact awareness 
and knowledge of CBCT in dental fraternity. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

A cross sectional study was conducted with a randomly 
selected sample. Data were obtained in the form of integrated, 
close-ended, validated, predesigned, self-administered 
questionnaire which was approved by the institutional ethical 
committee. The questionnaire was verified after results 
acquired from pilot study. The questionnaire was given to 200 
participants including undergraduate and post graduate 
students of oral medicine and radiology and other department. 
The study was carried out from march 2023 to October 2023.  
The questionnaire consists of multiple-choice questions on 
CBCT. The questionnaire consists of 22 questions and 
categorised based on knowledge, awareness, future 
applications, reason for CBCT prescription and basics of CBCT. 
Overall assessment of answers obtained for each part were 
analysed category-wise into two category undergraduates and 
post graduates. Statistical analysis was done. Software used is 
SPSS software version 21.0 (IBM, USA). Mean percentage was 
calculated and data were arranged in percentage for all 
questions. Chi-square test was employed to compare 
percentages in different variables.

  

                     Open Access                                                                                                                                                                                                       Research Article                                                                           

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Sarah Samsu Nisha. K et al                                                                                                        Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences. 2024; 4(1):9-15 

[10]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            AJDHS.COM 

QUESTIONNAIRE FORM 

 TABLE 1 

1.What is the difference between CT and CBCT? 

a) Low radiation dose than CT  

b) High radiation dose than CT 

c) Same radiation dose as CT 

2. Do you think CBCT is oral medicine and radiology (OMR) domain and should be present in OMR department only? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

3.Do you think CBCT should be provided at dental institute? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

4.Which session of BDS should include lecture on CBCT? 

a) Preclinical  

b) clinical 

c) Internship 

d) Not required 

 

TABLE 2 

5.Which technology do you prefer when you need three-dimensional imaging of the neck and head region? 

a) Computerized Tomography (CT) 

b) Dental Volumetric tomography (DVT) /CBCT 

6.Have you ever advised CBCT imaging for your patients? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

7. For what case would you refer your patient to CBCT? 

a) Trauma 

b) Cyst or Tumour 

c) Implant planning 

d) Orthodontic and endodontic evaluation 

e) all of the above 

 

 TABLE 3 

8.Have you ever obtained knowledge of CBCT from your faculty? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

9.Should there be guidelines formed for when or when not to take CBCT scan? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

10.Do you want to update your information about digital imaging/CBCT? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

11. Do you feel CDE/workshop should be conducted to enhance your knowledge about digital imaging/CBCT? 

a) Yes  



Sarah Samsu Nisha. K et al                                                                                                        Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences. 2024; 4(1):9-15 

[11]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            AJDHS.COM 

b) No 

12.Do you require guidance from a radiologist for radiological facility design and protection? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

13. Should patient be referred to an oral radiologist who is trained to handle or have enough experience in handling CBCT machine? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

14. Should all CBCT scan be interpreted by oral radiologist and all reports be signed by oral and maxillofacial radiologist? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

15. Should an oral radiologist take regular training/workshop/hands-on course for evaluation of CBCT scan? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

16.Do you think CBCT is oral medicine and radiology (OMR) domain and should be present in OMR department only? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

 

TABLE 4 

17.Have you heard about CBCT/DVT? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

18.What is the reason of not using digital imaging/CBCT in your dental practice? 

a) Lack of awareness 

b) Lack of availability 

c)Lack of knowledge 

d)Tough to perform 

19. Are you aware of different sizes of field of view (FOV) used to take CBCT scan? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

20. Are you aware that focused FOV/small FOV should be advised in CBCT for endodontic purpose? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

 

 TABLE 5 

21.Would you choose to use CBCT as an imaging modality in your clinical practice? 

a) Yes 

b) No  

22. Would you choose to use CBCT in your future professional career? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

 

 

 



Sarah Samsu Nisha. K et al                                                                                                        Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences. 2024; 4(1):9-15 

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RESULT: 

A fundamental tool for symptomatic and beneficial 
introduction in the field of oral and dental surgery is dental 
imaging. Presentation of preparation at the student level in 
Undergraduate and graduate-level CBCT should ensure that 
dental masters apply this technique effectively.  

Analysing the results, a total of 200 completely filled google 
forms were received among which 100 undergraduates and 
100 post graduates were included. Among 200 participants ,68 
under graduate and 70 post graduate agreed that CBCT delivers 
the lowest radiation dose to the organs whereas spiral multi 
slice delivers the highest dose. On analysing the results 69 post 
graduates and 60 undergraduates prefers CBCT to be present 
only in the OMR department. On overviewing the results, 95 
undergraduate students and 86 post graduate students thinks 
that CBCT should present in every dental institutes. 

 Among 200 participants, 57 students from under graduate and 
38 students from post graduate prefers CBCT to be included in 
the clinical session of the BDS and 25 under graduate and 47 
postgraduate prefers CBCT to be included in internship of the 
BDS. Out of 200 participants 62 undergraduate and 58 post 
graduate and advised CBCT for the three dimensional imaging 
of the head and neck region.  

On Analyzing the results, 74 post graduate and 70 
undergraduates prefer CBCT for trauma, cyst or tumour, 
implant planning, orthodontic and endodontic evaluation. 
Among 200 participants, 76 under graduate and 74 post 
graduate said that they obtained knowledge from their faculty.  

Out of 200 participants, 84 post graduate and 90 undergraduate 
students said that guidelines should be formed for when or 
when not to take CBCT scan. 93 post graduates and 85 
undergraduates said that CDE or workshop should be 
conducted to enhance their knowledge about CBCT.94 
undergraduate and 74 post graduate students requires 
guidance from the radiologists for radiological facility design 
and protection.90 under graduate and 84 post graduate refer 
patient to the oral radiologist who is well trained to handle the 
CBCT machine. 

90 post graduate and 87 undergraduate students heard about a 
CBCT or DVT.  Among 200 participants,41 undergraduate and 
28 post graduates were not using CBCT due to lack of 
awareness. However, Aditya et al3 discovered in their 
investigation that CBCT is still not widely utilized by dental 
specialists because of the technique's limited availability, high 
cost, or dentist’s incapacity to select cases for CBCT.

 

TABLE 6 

 

S.NO 

  

Questions  

 

UG 

(Total 100) 

  

PG 

(Total 100) 

 

Chi square 
value 

 

p value 

1 What is the difference between CT and CBCT? 

a) Low radiation dose than CT  

b) High radiation dose than CT 

c) Same radiation dose as CT 

 

68 

12 

20 

 

73 

11 

16 

 

 

 

0.665 

 

 

 

0.717 

2 Do you think CBCT is oral medicine and radiology (OMR) 
domain and should be present in OMR department only? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

 

 

50 

50 

 

 

69 

31 

 

 

 

7.490 

 

 

 

0.006* 

3 Do you think CBCT should be provided at dental institute? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

 

95 

5 

 

86 

14 

 

 

4.711 

 

 

0.030* 

4 Which session of BDS should include lecture on CBCT? 

a) Preclinical  

b) clinical 

c) Internship 

d) Not required 

 

16 

57 

25 

2 

 

14 

38 

47 

1 

 

 

10.989 

 

 

 

0.012* 

 

5 Which technology do you prefer when you need 
three-dimensional imaging of the neck and head region? 

a) Computerized Tomography (CT) 

b) Dental Volumetric tomography (DVT) /CBCT 

 

 

31 

69 

 

 

26 

74 

 

 

 

.613 

 

 

 

.434 

6 Have you ever advised CBCT imaging for your patients? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

 

62 

38 

 

58 

42 

 

.333 

 

.564 



Sarah Samsu Nisha. K et al                                                                                                        Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences. 2024; 4(1):9-15 

[13]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            AJDHS.COM 

 

7 

 

For what case would you refer your patient to CBCT? 

a) Trauma 

b) Cyst or Tumour 

c) Implant planning 

d) Orthodontic and endodontic evaluation 

e) all of the above 

 

5 

12 

9 

4 

70 

 

9 

11 

5 

1 

74 

 

 

 

4.240 

 

 

 

.374 

8 Have you ever obtained knowledge of CBCT from 
your faculty? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

 

 

 

76 

24 

 

 

73 

27 

 

 

 

.237 

 

 

 

 

.626 

9 Should there be guidelines formed for when or when 
not to take CBCT scan? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

 

 

94 

6 

 

 

76 

24 

 

 

12.706 

 

 

 

.000* 

 

10 Do you want to update your information about 
digital imaging/CBCT? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

 

 

89 

11 

 

 

85 

15 

 

 

.707 

 

 

.400 

11 Do you feel CDE/workshop should be conducted to 
enhance your knowledge about digital 
imaging/CBCT? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

 

 

93 

7 

 

 

85 

15 

 

 

3.269 

 

 

.071 

12 Do you require guidance from a radiologist for 
radiological facility design and protection? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

 

97 

3 

 

82 

18 

 

11.971 

 

.001* 

13 Should patient be referred to an oral radiologist who 
is trained to handle or have enough experience in 
handling CBCT machine? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

 

 

90 

10 

 

 

84 

16 

 

 

1.592 

 

 

.207 

14 Should all CBCT scan be interpreted by oral 
radiologist and all reports be signed by oral and 
maxillofacial radiologist? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

 

 

86 

14 

 

 

74 

26 

 

 

4.500 

 

 

.034* 

15 Should an oral radiologist take regular 
training/workshop/hands-on course for evaluation 
of CBCT scan? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

 

 

89 

11 

 

 

83 

17 

 

 

1.495 

 

 

.221 

16 Do you think CBCT is oral medicine and radiology 
(OMR) domain and should be present in OMR 
department only? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

 

 

60 

40 

 

 

69 

41 

 

 

1.769 

 

 

.184 



Sarah Samsu Nisha. K et al                                                                                                        Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences. 2024; 4(1):9-15 

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17 Have you heard about CBCT/DVT? 

a) Yes  

b) No 

 

87 

13 

 

90 

10 

 

1.233 

 

 

.540 

18 What is the reason of not using digital imaging/CBCT 
in your dental practice? 

a) Lack of awareness 

b) Lack of availability 

c)Lack of knowledge 

d)Tough to perform 

 

41 

22 

30 

7 

 

28 

29 

33 

10 

 

4.082 

 

.253 

19 Are you aware of different sizes of field of view (FOV) 
used to take CBCT scan? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

 

49 

51 

 

 

65 

34 

 

 

6.646 

 

 

 

.036 

20 Are you aware that focused FOV/small FOV should 
be advised in CBCT for endodontic purpose? 

a) Yes  

b)No 

 

 

54 

46 

 

 

56 

44 

 

 

1.009 

 

 

.604 

21 Would you choose to use CBCT as an imaging 
modality in your clinical practice? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

 

 

92 

8 

 

 

79 

21 

 

 

6.816 

 

 

 

.009 

22 Would you choose to use CBCT in your future 
professional career? 

a) Yes 

b) No 

 

 

95 

5 

 

 

83 

17 

 

 

7.354 

 

 

.007 

 

 

DISCUSSION 

This study used a questionnaire to measure the awareness, 
knowledge and attitude about CBCT among undergraduates 
and postgraduates. Patients visiting dental clinic for different 
dental procedures were diagnosed and treated using different 
imaging technique. Undergraduate dental students must realise 
the importance of CBCT and should have atleast basic 
knowledge of dental radiographs to arrive at an accurate 
diagnosis. This study helped us to understand primarily how 
effectively dentists follow principles and practices of 
traditional and modern oral radiology.  It also helps to measure 
the knowledge of about CBCT and their opinions on the 
implementation of increased use of CBCT in their practices. 

From the results obtained most of the undergraduates said that 
lack of awareness as the major reason for not using. And most 
of them were not aware of the different sizes of field of view in 
CBCT. Very few participants find tough to perform. The results 
are consistent with a study carried out in South India by 
sowmiya et al2 and Reddy et al 4. Similar findings were reported 
in another study done in Turkey by Kamburoglu et al5. 

Based on the results obtained, most of the undergraduates and 
post graduates agrees that they obtain knowledge from their 
faculty through lectures, CDE /workshops conducted at the 
institutes. The results were in line with a research by Reddy et 
al and Tofangchicha M et al6, evaluated the dental fraternity's 
knowledge and attitudes toward CBCT in South India. 

CBCT should be included both in Under graduates and post 
graduates of other department where CBCT is used to provide 
detail root morphology and it contributes to optimal diagnosis 
and treatment planning in endodontics, used in the assessment 
of anomalies of impaction, ectopic teeth and treatment 
planning in orthodontics. CBCT is used in tracing of inferior 
alveolar canal, evaluation of cyst and tumour, fracture 
diagnosis, orthognathic surgical planning in department of oral 
and maxillofacial surgery. CBCT plays major role in 
prosthodontics that it guides for precision implant placement, 
which ensures the final implant alignment. Hence, CBCT should 
be included in other department post graduates, so that it may 
help to deliver a quality treatment to the patients. Knowledge 
about radiation dose of CBCT was similar among 
undergraduate and post graduates as most of them said that 
CBCT emits low radiation dose when compared to CT and there 
is no statistically significant difference between them. Both 
under graduates and post graduates have satisfactory 
knowledge regarding radiation dose. The findings were similar 
to a study conducted by Chau and Fung7. They reported that 
CBCT delivers the lowest radiation dose to the organs, whereas 
spiral multislice CT delivers the highest dose. Among 200 
participants, most of them prefer CBCT for diagnosing tumour/ 
cysts, or implant placement, orthodontic purposes and for 
trauma cases. The findings were in accordance with 
Balabaskaran K et al 8and Shetty et al9 who conducted a 
research to assess dentist attitudes about CBCT discovered that 
dental professionals only favour CBCT imaging when they 



Sarah Samsu Nisha. K et al                                                                                                        Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences. 2024; 4(1):9-15 

[15]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            AJDHS.COM 

anticipate that the diagnostic yield will materially improve 
clinical results, patient safety, or patient care. 

 Since CBCT is present only in the oral medicine and radiology 
domain, Majority of the undergraduates requires guidance 
from the radiologist for radiological facility design and 
protection.  This may be due to lack of availability of CBCT in 
the UG curriculum. Lack of inclusion of CBCT in several 
institutes may be due to the expenditure. Hence CBCT should 
be included both in Under graduates and post graduates of 
other department during their clinical session/internship. Most 
of the undergraduates refer patient to the oral radiologist for 
taking CBCT because of their poor handling whereas post 
graduates had better handling when compared to 
undergraduates.  

On analysing the future applicatory response, most of them 
choose to use CBCT as an imaging modality in their future 
clinical practice. Hence postgraduates had better knowledge in 
radiological protection, handling, interpretation and awareness 
about CBCT.  

CONCLUSION 

From this study, it is evident that undergraduate students have 
less knowledge in radiological protection, interpretation and 
handling capacity. 

Given the necessity, the dental fraternity should place a greater 
emphasis on technique and interpretation in the curriculum of 
the moment. The Organizations ought to carry out talks or 
continuous education in dentistry (CDE) to guarantee increased 
proficiency in oral radiology among students in college. Oral 
radiology significance ought must be emphasized to the pupils 
throughout their undergraduate program due to its extensive 
utilization in the diagnosis and planning of care. Dental 
students need to learn more about improving clinical practice 
in oral radiology. In order to raise dentists' awareness of 
various imaging modalities, it is also advised that OMR 
departments at various dental institutions actively participate 
in and set up special qualifying programs for them9. Dental 
professionals will be able to employ CBCT more effectively to 
increase the precision and dependability of oral and 
maxillofacial diagnosis, treatment planning, and results if the 
method is made available to them through undergraduate 
training1. 

Financial Support and Sponsorship 

Nil 

Conflicts of Interest 

There are no conflicts of interest 

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https://doi.org/10.4103/jiaomr.jiaomr_115_17
https://doi.org/10.4103/2321-3841.157524
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijd.2012.10.003
https://doi.org/10.1259/dmfr/21915689
https://doi.org/10.17795/bhs-25815
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2008.11.009
https://doi.org/10.9790/0853-1055559
https://doi.org/10.4103/2321-3841.157524

