Abstract
Digital radiographic rJental imaging enhances diagnostic
accuracy, patient care, and clinical efficiency; however,
adoption remains ~neven due to cost, access. ar 1d
infrastructure constraints. In South Africa, limited data on
imaging modalities in dental practice highlight the need to
align dental curricula with contemporary clinical practice.
/-\rms and Objectivas
To assess analogue and digital radiographic imaging use
among dentists practising in Gauteng Province, which
represents approximately 40% of the national dental
workforce, and to determine the relevance of analogue
imaging in the revised dental radiology curriculum.
t°',esign 1
A descriptive. quantitative and cross-sectional research
design was used. ;
bi:-~ ~od3
An online questionn.aire was distributed via REDCap®
and Google Forms® to practising general dentists and
dental specialists in Gauteng. Non-practising dentists were
excluded.
Results 1
Of the 144 respondents, 77 .8% were general dentists and
22.2% specialists with most (59.7%) practising in the private
sector. Analogue intraoral imaging was more common in tile
Authors' infonnation
1. Mrs. Brigitte Walsh. Radiography Manager/ Lecturer. Dental
Radiology Unit. Department of General Dental Practice. Wits Oral
Heruth Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa Tel: 011 488 3956
E-mail: Brigitte.Walsh@wits.ac.za. ORCHJ: 0000-0001-9333-0946
2. Dr Lynne Janette Hazell. Head of Department, Medical lmagin~
& Radiation Sc,ences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Unoversity of
Johannesburg. Johannesburg, South Airica. Tel: 011 559 6066
E-mail: lynneh@uj.ar,.?a. ORCID: 0000-0002-8756-660X
3 Dr Louisa Mokoena. Lecturer. Department ol Medical Imaging
,,, Radiation SciencP..s. Faculty of Health Sciences. University of
Johannesburg. Johannesburg. South Africa. Tel: 011 559 6424
E--mail: louisarn@ui.ac.za. ORCID: 0000-0002-1303-1469
Corresponding author
Name: Mrs. Brigitte Wal<'h.Tel:
011 4B8 3956
E-mail: Brigitte.Walsh@wits.ac.za
Authors contributions
1. Mrs. Bngitte Walsh, Principal Researcher, 30% Contribution
2. Dr Lynne Janette Hazell, Main supervisor, 23,3% Contribution
3. Dr Louisa MokoenaCo- supervisor, 23,3% Contribution
public sector (38. 7%) and teaching institutions (26.5%) than
in individual (10.9%) or group practices (14.0%). Analogue
panoramic imaging was reported by 7. 7% of individual
practices.
Conciusir;n
Analogue radiography has limited relevance in contemporary
practice; therefore, dental radiology curricula should prioritise
digital imaging, supportE:Jd by foundational knowledge of
analogue principles.