Research Article

Pre-Radiology Dental Students' Ability to Recognize Anatomical Landmarks on Panoramic Radiography

Volume: 10 Number: 1 January 31, 2026
TR EN

Pre-Radiology Dental Students' Ability to Recognize Anatomical Landmarks on Panoramic Radiography

Abstract

Purpose: In dentistry, panoramic radiography is frequently utilized as a primary diagnostic tool due to its ability to visualize the normal and abnormal anatomy of the jawbones. This study aims to evaluate whether the ability of first and second-year dental students, who have not received radiographic training, to identify anatomically significant points relevant to their profession changes when using illustrations versus panoramic radiographic images. Material and Methods: The study involved the participation of 127 students from the Faculty of Dentistry. Twenty-four different anatomical structures significant in dental practice were marked using different numbers on panoramic radiographs and atlas images. Students were first asked to write down the numbers they believed corresponded to the anatomical structures on the panoramic image, and then on the atlas image. Results: On average, 61.21% of the anatomical points on the atlas image were correctly identified. The most frequently misidentified structures were the articular tubercle, mastoid cellulae, and gnathion. The average accuracy rate for identifying anatomical points on the panoramic image was 48.13%. The molar III. tooth, dens canini, and pulp were the most accurately identified structures. Conclusion: Our study found that dental students correctly identified many significant anatomical structures and points in the oral and maxillofacial region. For anatomical points with lower accuracy rates, active learning methods should be developed in addition to traditional education.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Karadeniz Technical University, Health Sciences Scientific Research Ethics Committee (Date: 26/02/2024, Decision no: 2024/19).

References

  1. Miller L, Tonascia J, Awan OA. Augmenting Medical Student Education: A Radiology Resident Perspective. Academic Radiology 2023;30(1):140-141.
  2. Isaac O, Awan OA. Global Medical Education and Its Value to Radiology. Academic Radiology 2023; 30(10):2222-2224.
  3. Farmakis SG, Chertoff JD, Straus CM, Barth RA. Perspective: mandatory radiology education for medical students. Academic Radiology 2023; 30(7):1500-1510.
  4. Sivarajah RT, Curci NE, Johnson EM, Lam DL, Lee JT, Richardson ML. A review of innovative teaching methods. Academic Radiology 2019; 26(1):101-113.
  5. Cheng FC, Tang LH, Lee KJ, Lin YT, Yang FH, Chen MH, Chiang CP. A survey of the dental radiology course designed for dentist continuing education in Taiwan. Journal of Dental Sciences 2023;18(3):1354-1360.
  6. Yeung AWK, Tanaka R, Jacobs R, Bornstein MM. Awareness and practice of 2D and 3D diagnostic imaging among dentists in Hong Kong. British dental journal 2020;228(9):701-709.
  7. Yeung AWK, Wong NS M. Reject rates of radiographic images in Dentomaxillofacial radiology: a literature review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021;18(15):8076.
  8. Yeung AWK. Content analysis of YouTube videos on radiographic anatomy on dental panoramic images. Healthcare 2022;10(8):1382.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Diagnostic Radiography

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 31, 2026

Submission Date

February 9, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 21, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

APA
Keskin, A., Aygün, T., Akbaytürk, N., & Salbacak, A. (2026). Pre-Radiology Dental Students’ Ability to Recognize Anatomical Landmarks on Panoramic Radiography. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, 10(1), 89-96. https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1636334
AMA
1.Keskin A, Aygün T, Akbaytürk N, Salbacak A. Pre-Radiology Dental Students’ Ability to Recognize Anatomical Landmarks on Panoramic Radiography. JBACHS. 2026;10(1):89-96. doi:10.30621/jbachs.1636334
Chicago
Keskin, Arif, Tayfun Aygün, Nevnihal Akbaytürk, and Ahmet Salbacak. 2026. “Pre-Radiology Dental Students’ Ability to Recognize Anatomical Landmarks on Panoramic Radiography”. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences 10 (1): 89-96. https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1636334.
EndNote
Keskin A, Aygün T, Akbaytürk N, Salbacak A (January 1, 2026) Pre-Radiology Dental Students’ Ability to Recognize Anatomical Landmarks on Panoramic Radiography. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences 10 1 89–96.
IEEE
[1]A. Keskin, T. Aygün, N. Akbaytürk, and A. Salbacak, “Pre-Radiology Dental Students’ Ability to Recognize Anatomical Landmarks on Panoramic Radiography”, JBACHS, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 89–96, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.30621/jbachs.1636334.
ISNAD
Keskin, Arif - Aygün, Tayfun - Akbaytürk, Nevnihal - Salbacak, Ahmet. “Pre-Radiology Dental Students’ Ability to Recognize Anatomical Landmarks on Panoramic Radiography”. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences 10/1 (January 1, 2026): 89-96. https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1636334.
JAMA
1.Keskin A, Aygün T, Akbaytürk N, Salbacak A. Pre-Radiology Dental Students’ Ability to Recognize Anatomical Landmarks on Panoramic Radiography. JBACHS. 2026;10:89–96.
MLA
Keskin, Arif, et al. “Pre-Radiology Dental Students’ Ability to Recognize Anatomical Landmarks on Panoramic Radiography”. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, vol. 10, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 89-96, doi:10.30621/jbachs.1636334.
Vancouver
1.Arif Keskin, Tayfun Aygün, Nevnihal Akbaytürk, Ahmet Salbacak. Pre-Radiology Dental Students’ Ability to Recognize Anatomical Landmarks on Panoramic Radiography. JBACHS. 2026 Jan. 1;10(1):89-96. doi:10.30621/jbachs.1636334