Dissertation Abstract

An Investigation of Selected Factors Associated With Knowledge, Adoption, and Attitudes of North Carolina General Dentists Toward Dental Radiology Quality Assurance.

The purpose of this research was to investigate factors associated with attitudes of general dentists toward dental radiology quality assurance, their level of knowledge, and their level of adoption of The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology quality assurance recommendations.

The demographic characteristics of age, year of dental school graduation, number of years in practice, and location of practice were examined as predictors of knowledge and adoption of The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology quality assurance recommendations and as predictors of the attitudes of general dentists toward dental radiology quality assurance. A survey research design was used to gather data from a sample of the population (N = 310) of general dentists registered with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners in 1991. One hundred and fifty-nine or 51.29% responded. An instrument with a five point Likert-Type scale, consisting of 24 attitude statements, selected demographics variables, 25 knowledge, and 25 adoption questions was used.

Conclusions were that: knowledge and adoption were substantially associated; location of practice and adoption were moderately associated; years in practice, location of practice, age and knowledge were moderately associated; knowledge and attitudes were moderately associated; and age and attitude were moderately associated.

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