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Safety and protection when using ionising radiation

7 mins read Impression taking, radiography and photography
Dental care professionals and their patients need to be protected from the harmful effects of ionising radiation. By interpreting and applying the laws and regulations that govern radiation, staff can minimise exposure and therefore risk

Dental radiography is a central part of clinical diagnosis. Because any exposure to ionising radiation carries an inherent risk, every precaution needs to be taken to minimise the risks to both patients and the team. This article explores the regulations and the measures that can be taken to minimise risks from radiation.

Put simply, energy emitted from any source is generally referred to as radiation. The electromagnetic spectrum has low-energy radiation such as microwaves and radio waves at one end, visible and ultraviolet light at the mid-energy range and ionising radiation, including x-rays and cosmic rays, at the high-energy end.

Any exposure to ionising radiation poses a risk to the patient and potentially the team. The effect of ionising radiation will depend on various factors including:

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