DCA05DR Dental Radiation Health, Safety, and Protection, 3rd Edition _______________________________
during the procedure. Table 5 summarizes operator radiation safety and protection practices. Occupational radiation monitoring devices are the best means to ensure personnel compliance with radiation safety practices and to track occupational exposure. The use of personnel monitoring devices is a recommended practice and, in some states, is mandated by law. Several companies offer dosimetry monitoring services that include provision of the devices and periodic printed reports. Typical devices include film badges, thermoluminescence dosimeters, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters. An occupational exposure monitoring report provides detailed information regarding occupational exposure received by tracked personnel. Figure 3 provides a sample dosimetry report.
A small amount of radiation may leak from the protective metal housing surrounding the tubehead. For this reason, a radiographer should never hold the tubehead in place during radiographic exposure. Drifting or “floating” tubehead suspen- sion arms should be professionally repaired as soon as possible. In addition, radiographers should not hold an intraoral recep- tor in place in the patient’s mouth during exposure, nor hold or restrain the patient (Lee & Choi, 2021). Although it may seem to be a reasonable option for the uncooperative, pediatric, or special needs patients, this practice is not recommended because it leads to unnecessary occupational exposure. In such circumstances, the best practice is to have the parent or guard- ian stabilize the receptor and/or the patient during exposure. The parent or guardian should be provided with a lead apron
RADIATION SAFETY PRACTICES FOR DENTAL RADIOGRAPHERS Procedures to Avoid Procedures to Follow
Do NOT hold the x-ray tubehead or PID in place during radiation exposure. Do NOT hold the receptor inside the patient’s mouth during radiation exposure. Do NOT hold the patient in place during radiation exposure.
Stand behind a barrier during exposure. If there is no barrier, stand 6 feet away and at a 90° to 135° angle to the x-ray beam. Use receptor-holding instruments to maintain the placement during exposure. Shield and instruct the parent or guardian to hold the patient in place during exposure.
PID = position-indicating device. Source: Data from Benavides et al. (2024) and Lee and Choi (2021). Benavides et al. (2024) and Lee and Choi (2021)
Table 5
SAMPLE DOSIMETRY REPORT
C/kg = coulomb/kilogram; R = roentgen; Gy = gray; rad = radiation absorbed dose; Sv= sievert; rem = roentgen equivalent man; Bq = becquerel; Ci = curie. Source: From Radiation Emergency Medical Management. (2025). https://remm.hhs.gov/radmeasurement.htm Figure 3
94
EliteLearning.com/Dental
Powered by FlippingBook