Radiation protection applied to dental radiography.

Abstract

Dental radiography is a low dose but high frequency technique. Moreover the population is relatively young hence each exposure still needs to be justified and optimised. Safe and effective use of dental X-ray equipment is important for the protection of the patient, personnel involved in the dental team and for the general public. Guidelines for the safe use of the dental X-ray equipment have been published in the U.K and besides safe use of equipment they include also quality assurance, training and risk management amongst others. In Malta, no such guidelines exist and there is generally a low level of radiation protection awareness. This study involves a critical survey of the literature regarding radiation protection in dental radiography including the NRPB guidelines and a discussion of the situation at the Dental Department at St.Luke's Hospital with respect to these guidelines. Possible problem areas in the implementation of these guidelines were identified and recommendations put forward. Some problem areas include quality control program involving the regular maintenance of dental X-ray machines and processor, training for radiographers on imaging technique to avoid repeats and thus reducing patient's dose, continuing professional development on radiation protection and equipment aspects to reduce patient dose such as rectangular collimation and film holders are not yet available.