End-user survey for digital sensor characteristics: a pilot questionnaire study

Objective: To survey end-user opinions on dental digital sensor characteristics for the design of a new X-ray imaging sensor. Material and methods: 100 questionnaires were sent out to dentists and dental radiologists. The questionnaire consisted of six parts related to dental sensors. A: Details about the respondent; B: Prioritization of most important aspects of digital sensors; C: Rating advantages and D: disadvantages of digital sensors; F: Dental features that need to be enhanced by digital sensors; G: End-user comments. Results: Fifty-six questionnaires were returned. Contrast resolution and imaging time were assessed as the most and the least important aspects, respectively. Aspects considered as advantages by approximately 80% of respondents were: optimal contrast resolution, increased specificity, increased discrimination between diseased and healthy tissue, increased sensitivity, lower dose to the patient by more than 20%; as a disadvantage, increased patient dose was given. Dental features considered important by over 80% of the respondents were for intraoral radiographs: the visibility of caries. periapical, periodontal, and bone lesions; for panoramic radiographs: reduction of ghost images, image sharpness and bone. Bone and soft tissues on cephalograms and bone on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tomograms were mentioned by over 70%. Conclusion: The most desired characteristic for a new sensor is contrast resolution. Dose saving is not considered as important unless it is more than 20%. Examination time is not a major issue. Caries, periapical and periodontal, and bone lesions for intraoral radiographs, reduction of ghost images, image sharpness and bone for panoramic radiographs were the most frequently mentioned dental features that should be enhanced by digital sensors.