Digital Radiography Adoption in Pakistani Dental Practices: Trends, Barriers, and Practitioner Perspectives

Abstract

Background: Digital radiography has transformed dental diagnostics by enabling rapid image acquisition, improved image quality, and simplified storage and transmission. Although widely implemented in high-income countries, adoption in developing healthcare systems remains variable due to economic, educational, and infrastructural constraints. Understanding the extent of digital radiography use and the barriers affecting its integration into clinical practice is essential for guiding policy and professional training initiatives. Objective: To assess the prevalence of digital radiography use among dental practitioners in Pakistan and to evaluate associated barriers, training exposure, practitioner perceptions, and radiation safety practices. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted between October and December 2025 among dental practitioners practicing in public hospitals, teaching institutions, and private clinics across Pakistan. Eligible participants included PMDC-registered dentists actively engaged in clinical practice. Data were collected using a validated 19-item online questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, radiographic practices, training exposure, practitioner attitudes, and perceived barriers to adoption. Descriptive statistics and exploratory subgroup analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27. Results: Among 200 respondents, 87.5% reported using digital radiography, with intraoral digital sensors being the most common modality (70%). Improved image quality (76%) and faster workflow (74%) were the most frequently cited motivators for adoption. The main barriers included equipment cost (80%), lack of training (59%), and limited technical support (40%). Only 18.5% of practitioners had received formal training, and 47.5% reported not routinely using radiation safety measures. Conclusion: Digital radiography use among surveyed dentists in Pakistan is widespread; however, significant gaps remain in professional training and radiation safety compliance. Addressing financial barriers and strengthening educational programs may facilitate safer and more effective integration of digital imaging technologies in dental practice.