To understand radiation safety, one must first be familiar with the term radiation. Simply put, radiation may be defined as energy traveling through space as waves or high speed particles. There are two types of radiation, ionizing and non-ionizing (e.g. Heat, visible light), they are differentiated by how they interact with matter. Non- ionizing radiation is essential to life, but excessive exposures can cause tissue damage. Ionizing radiation has sufficient energy to ionize atoms and potentially cause DNA damage.
The most common type of radiation is ionizing; its sources are found in a wide variety of occupational settings. If radiation is not properly controlled it can be potentially harmful to the health of workers, or patients in healthcare …show more content…
The ADA, NCRP, and American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology all recommend the use of rectangular collimation for periapical and bitewing radiography in order to reduce further radiation exposure and dose to patients. (rad protection). The rectangular collimator also benefits the patient by reducing excessive scatter radiation resulting in increased subject contrast of radiographic images that obtains quality images that lead to improved diagnoses and treatments. It is also recommended that an intra-oral film of at least E speed is used. If all other exposure factors are equal to the use of E or F speed film it results in a dose reduction relative to D speed film of 45% and 60% respectively. (radiology …show more content…
(office cite) Quality assurance (QA) is an essential part of dental radiography. The purpose of QA is to set standards according to the available evidence for best practice, to regularly audit that these standards are being met and to record compliance. Implementation of QA procedures allows identification of equipment problems, or working practices that are not up to standard. These can then be corrected. (radiology cite). Typical doses for particular diagnostic examinations should not be exceeded. Regular maintenance and testing of equipment to ensure correct functioning of warning lights and audible alarms, and stable radiation output should help to ensure this. It is expected that all dental professionals involved in requesting or taking radiographs should be updated every fi ve years on the use of ionising radiation.6 A QA programme should note the date of the last update and when another is due. As well as reiterating important principles in radiation protection, updates should expose practitioners to up to-date guidance that helps ensure they are using the best practice as it is understood at the time. (road to rad). Audit is the basis on which the effectiveness of a QA programme is verifi ed. The date of audit and its outcome should be recorded within
The most common type of radiation is ionizing; its sources are found in a wide variety of occupational settings. If radiation is not properly controlled it can be potentially harmful to the health of workers, or patients in healthcare …show more content…
The ADA, NCRP, and American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology all recommend the use of rectangular collimation for periapical and bitewing radiography in order to reduce further radiation exposure and dose to patients. (rad protection). The rectangular collimator also benefits the patient by reducing excessive scatter radiation resulting in increased subject contrast of radiographic images that obtains quality images that lead to improved diagnoses and treatments. It is also recommended that an intra-oral film of at least E speed is used. If all other exposure factors are equal to the use of E or F speed film it results in a dose reduction relative to D speed film of 45% and 60% respectively. (radiology …show more content…
(office cite) Quality assurance (QA) is an essential part of dental radiography. The purpose of QA is to set standards according to the available evidence for best practice, to regularly audit that these standards are being met and to record compliance. Implementation of QA procedures allows identification of equipment problems, or working practices that are not up to standard. These can then be corrected. (radiology cite). Typical doses for particular diagnostic examinations should not be exceeded. Regular maintenance and testing of equipment to ensure correct functioning of warning lights and audible alarms, and stable radiation output should help to ensure this. It is expected that all dental professionals involved in requesting or taking radiographs should be updated every fi ve years on the use of ionising radiation.6 A QA programme should note the date of the last update and when another is due. As well as reiterating important principles in radiation protection, updates should expose practitioners to up to-date guidance that helps ensure they are using the best practice as it is understood at the time. (road to rad). Audit is the basis on which the effectiveness of a QA programme is verifi ed. The date of audit and its outcome should be recorded within