Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of dental postgraduate one-day courses in radiation protection in Wales.

Design Analysis of dentists' performance pre- and immediately post-course training.

Subjects and methods Two hundred and eighty-five general dental practitioners took part in eight courses. Identical, validated multiple choice questionnaires were completed anonymously at the start and at the end of each course. Fifty (+62.5%) or above was regarded as a satisfactory standard. Two hundred and fifty-three (89%) paired morning-afternoon records were completed and analysed. Data was compared to that of similar courses five years earlier.

Results The mean (SD) pre- and post-course percentage scores were 33.8 (13.5) and 63.6 (14.6). The mean improvement was 29.8 percentage points (SD 11.7). The pre-post correlation was +0.66. At baseline only six (2.4%) of the 253 practitioners achieved the preset standard. After the course, 146 (57.7%) did so, an improvement of 55.3% (95% CI 48.9-61.3%). The final score and score gain were slightly higher in more recent graduates. The increase in proportion attaining the standard following training was 11.9% higher for IRMER than for POPUMET (p <0.001).

Conclusion The level of knowledge in radiation protection was very low at baseline. Whilst attending the approved course led to considerable improvement, it did not invariably result in a satisfactory level of knowledge in fundamental radiation physics and regulations. The prescribed standard was achieved by less than 60% of the attendees. The IRMER course was significantly more effective than its POPUMET predecessor.

1. Dental Postgraduate Tutor (Distance Learning) for Wales, School of Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education, University Dental Hospital & School, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY
2. Consultant in Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology, Radiology Department, University Dental Hospital & School, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY
3. Dental Business Manager, School of Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education, University Dental Hospital & School, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY
4. Director of Postgraduate Dental Education, School of Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education, University Dental Hospital & School, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY
5. Professor of Medical Statistics, Department of Epidemiology, Statistics and Public Health, Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4YS

Correspondence to: E G Absi¹ e-mail: absieg@cf.ac.uk