Dental Radiography Safety

By Amin Abusallamah

Goal of x ray

• The goal of dental radiography is to obtain useful diagnostic information if it not necessary don't do I t.

Ordering Dental Radiographs

• Dental radiographs must only be performed by dentists or other legally qualified.

Operator Location

• The operator of the dental unit must stand at least six feet from the useful beam or behind a protective barrier.

• If a protective barrier is used, it must have a viewing window to allow the operator to see the patient.

Filtration Requirements

• The amount of filtration required varies with the operating range of the x-ray unit. For example:

• For 51 to 70 kVp units - 1.5 mm Al

• Units above 70 kVp - 2.5 mmAl

Thyroid Shield (Collar)

• The primary dental beam may pass near or occasionally through the thyroid gland. A thyroid shield may reduce the dose to the gland without interferingwith obtaining a diagnostic image.

Lead aprons

• Patients should be shielded with lead aprons and These shields should have at least 0.5 mm of lead equivalent.

• Do not fold or bend aprons. Hang aprons to prevent damage and loss of protective qualities.

Cones

• The ADA discourages the use of short, closed, pointed cones because of the increased scatter radiation close to the face and adjacent areas of the patient’s body.

Thank you