Dentists’ Knowledge of Radiation Protection, Justification, and Optimization Practices: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Radiation protection in dental medicine is based on the principles of justification and optimization, yet available evidence indicates inconsistent application of these principles in everyday practice. The aim of this systematic review was to assess dentists’ understanding of radiation protection and their adherence to guidelines for justification and optimization of dental X-ray procedures. Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was conducted from January 2010 to April 2026, following PRISMA guidelines. The systematic review included surveys and cross-sectional studies that examined dentists’ knowledge of radiation protection, as well as justification and optimization practices. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale adapted for cross-sectional studies. Results: The systematic review included 22 original scientific articles that assessed knowledge of radiation protection, justification, and optimization practices among 5277 dentists from 12 countries. The findings indicate a high theoretical understanding of the basic rules of radiation protection, but a lower level of understanding of the technical and optimization factors of dental X-ray devices. A relevant inconsistency was observed in the justification process, with frequent referral for X-ray imaging without clinical indication and inconsistent adherence to guidelines. The optimization of X-ray imaging varied, especially in…
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