Dental radiology reporting status and recording frequency of reporting items in Korea

PURPOSE: This study investigated the current dental radiology reporting methods and the recording rate of 10 mandatory reporting items in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An original online survey created using Google Forms was distributed to dental practitioners. The survey asked about the participants’ age, experience, workplace, use of radiologic equipment, radiology reporting methods, and recording reporting items. RESULTS: In total, 354 responses were analyzed. Radiologic reporting in dental charts was the most commonly used method for each modality. Four out of 10 mandatory items were recorded at a high rate, but the remaining 6 items had substantially lower recording rates, often below 50%. The participants who reported radiographic findings through other separate methods had higher item scores than those who wrote findings in dental charts (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Radiologic societies and dental associations should encourage the use of separate reports for radiographic examinations. Education regarding radiology reports and the justification for reporting items should be reinforced in dental schools, training courses on radiology, and the continuing education curriculum.