Radiation dose-reduction techniques in Saudi Dental Clinics

Journal Article

Al-Sadhan, Ra’ed . 2003

• رابط المنشور على الويب: Radiation dose-reduction techniques in Saudi Dental Clinics
• المجلة \ الصحيفة: Pakistan Oral and Dental Journal
• رقم العدد: 1
• رقم الإصدار السنوي: 23
• الصفحات: 71-78

مستخلص المنشور

Objective. The purpose of this investigation was to describe the extent to which Saudi dental clinicians use materials, and equipment that reduce radiation exposure to patients and operators.
Study Design. Questionnaires soliciting information regarding intraoral radiographic practices were collected from a random sample of 259 dentists practicing at 11 major Saudi cities.
Results. The response rate was 64.75%. Dose-reducing techniques used were leaded aprons (79.1%), beam collimators (5.4%), and thyroid collars (8.5%). Patients held the films by their hands during exposure in 67% of clinics and by operator hand in 7%. E-speed film is used at 38.6% of clinics. Direct digital radiography is used at 5.7% of clinics for intraoral imaging. The most commonly used tube potential is 70-90 kVp (69.5%). A sunny window or the ceiling light were the method chosen to view the processed films by 10.7% of the surveyed dentists. Dentist made the radiographic exposure by themselves in 20.7% of clinics while dental assistants made the exposure in 41.7% of clinics. X-ray machines were located inside the clinic in 52.1% of clinics. 13.5% of operators remained inside the clinic during exposure. Only 19.3% of the clinics had a radiation exposure monitoring system
Conclusions. Some dose-reducing strategies are commonly used in Saudi dental clinics, while others have not gained wide acceptance.