The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is performing regularly scheduled radiological equipment inspections during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to the California Dental Association (CDA).
Machine owners are required to register their devices annually and pay associated fees every two years. Dental practices must properly document and maintain records of occupational radiation exposure, the CDA noted.
The CDPH Radiologic Health Branch inspects machines every five years using a special device. Dental practices use and return the device, which measures radiation exposure.
The CDPH then schedules onsite inspections with practices that have the greatest deviation from standards as well as those that do not return the device at all. Some practices with normal exposure will also be scheduled for inspections for quality assurance, according to the CDA.
The inspections will take place onsite, although some parts of the inspection process will take place remotely to limit the amount of time inspectors are physically on location.
