Dental radiography is the most common x-ray examination carried out in the UK, with an estimated 20.5 million per year being taken (Hart et al, 2010).
Despite this large number of examinations, radiation doses received by staff and patients in dental radiography can be kept very low by the use of the simple, practical techniques outlined below, which are universally applicable.
Radiation protection for staff and visitors is governed by the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (HM Government, 1999). The key principle with regard to this article is that the employer must keep radiation doses ‘as low as reasonably practicable’.
Radiation protection for patients is governed by the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000, amended in 2006 and 2011 (IRMER) (HM Government, 2000). The key principles here are those of justification and optimisation.
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