Date of Completion

9-23-2017

Embargo Period

9-23-2017

Advisors

Dr. Alan Lurie, Dr. David Pendrys, Dr. Aditya Tadinada

Field of Study

Dental Science

Degree

Master of Dental Science

Open Access

Open Access

Abstract

The most recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines on dental radiograph examinations were released in 2012.1 Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a three dimensional radiographic exam first introduced in the in the early 2000s.7 In the 2012 guidelines, CBCT was excluded from the criteria; the guidelines were meant only for “standard dental imaging techniques of intraoral and common extraoral examinations, excluding cone-beam computed tomography.”1

CBCT is in the armamentarium of radiographs utilized in general dentistry and can be ordered by a dentist, a dental specialist, or dental student. There is a large void in the literature regarding the imaging patterns of CBCT. More data is needed on the clinical indications referred for CBCT, the types of dentists utilizing CBCT, and the patient profiles receiving CBCT exams; this information is essential to updating the FDA/ADA guidelines, for clinicians to understand the spectrum of clinical applications of CBCT, and for the oral and maxillofacial radiologist to understand the patterns and profiles of their referring clinicians.

The objective of this survey is to develop a profile of the clinicians referring patients for CBCT in an academic dentistry setting, the indications for which CBCT exams are being utilized, and patient profiles referred for CBCT. The requisition forms for all CBCT exams acquired at UCONN Health Center were retrospectively analyzed during the time period of June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016, a total of 590 requisition forms. Overall, the majority of CBCT exams are ordered for implant treatment planning. The second most common indications for CBCT scans was for endodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. The average age of a patient referred for CBCT is 53 years old; however, pediatric patients account for approximately 10% of the CBCT scans. The most frequent referring specialist were from residencies that often placed implants, namely periodontics and prosthodontics residents.

Major Advisor

Dr. Alan Lurie

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