The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) has published two new position statements for users of dental x-ray equipment that amend its Code of Practice for Radiological Protection in Dentistry (RPII - 96/2).
The first statement was developed jointly with the Health Service Executive and deals with the requirement to wear lead aprons whenever taking dental x-rays. The new advice states that there is no need for staff using x-ray equipment to wear lead aprons once they adhere to safe working practices, and that there is no justification for aprons to be routinely worn by patients.
Lead aprons should, however, be provided to anyone who holds or supports a patient during an x-ray, and special consideration should be given to the shielding of the patient's thyroid, the RPII noted.
The second statement sets out the RPII's new requirements on the need for personal dosimetry in dental radiology and has been published following an extensive review of this issue by the RPII's Regulatory Service. This review included an examination of the RPII's dosimetry records over the past 10 years, current practices in other European countries, and an understanding of the standard of dental x-ray units in Ireland today.
Where previously a personal dosimetry program was a mandatory licensing requirement, dentists are now required to undertake a risk assessment, in conjunction with their radiation protection adviser (RPA), to determine whether such a program is required. With the recent appointment of RPAs to all dental practices, dentists now have access to independent expert advice on radiation protection and decisions as to whether personal dosimetry is required can now be taken by the individual practice.
