Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Group D
Pollution in dental clinic (radiation pollution)
Introduction
Licensed dentists play an important role in maintaining radiation
exposures of patients and staff as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).
Greater numbers of intra-oral adiographs are being requested and a wide
range of other dental radiographic examinations (panoramic,
cephalometric) are being performed on a routine basis with the addition
of advanced imaging modalities (CBCT). Individuals who operate dental X-
ray equipment must have a basic knowledge of the inherent health risks
associated with radiation and must have demonstrated familiarity with
basic rules of radiation safety.
D. Exposure Cord
The exposure switch must be permanently fixed in a safe shielded
location or must be long enough to permit the operator to make
exposures while positioned at least six feet from the patient.
C. Digital Receptors
Digital receptors include rigid wired or wireless sensors such as the
charged-coupled device (CCD) and the complementary metal oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) and photostimulable phosphor plate (PSP) or
storage phosphor plate (SPP) receptors.
It is estimated that digital radiography reduces patient radiation dose
by 75% compared with D speed film, 50% compared with E speed film
and approximately 40% compared with F speed film.
Digital receptors cannot be sterilized so the clinician must use
careful disinfection and barrier coverage techniques to avoid
crosscontamination
of the receptor.
D. Intensifying Screens
With regard to film-based extraoral radiography, rare earth
intensifying screen phosphors are recommended to reduce radiation
exposure.
Rare earth elements like lanthanum and gadolinium have replaced
calcium tungstate crystals in intensifying screens.
When rare earth screens are combined with green light sensitive
film, exposure can be reduced approximately 55% for panoramic and
cephalometric radiographs.
COLLIMATION
Four dental films are placed on a sheet of paper, crossed with edge
of cone crossing the middle of film. The outline of cone end and films
are marked on the paper.
Radiopaque objects such as paper clips, coins, pins or nails are
placed on the film inside the X-ray beam and films are exposed with one
half of the exposure time used for an anterior radiograph.
Radiographs are processed and relocated in their original position on
the paper using the image of the different radiopaque objects.
PINHOLE CAMERA TECHNIQUE FOR FOCAL SPOT ASSESSMENT
A piece of lead of 1 mm in thickness is placedover the collimator opening
in the base of the cone. A small hole not larger than 0.5 mm in
diameter is made in the centre of lead.
A dental film is placed on a small box in the middle of cone at the same
distance from the lead hole as the focal spot of the X-ray
machine. Exposure time of five impulses is needed to produce a clear
image of focal spot on the radiograph.
DARKROOM
Safelight requires checking of the following:
• Types of filter : Type of filter which should be compatible with
the colour sensitivity of film used, i.e. blue, green, ultraviolet.
• Condition of filter : Scratched filter should be replaced.
• Watt of bulb : It should be not more than 25 W.
• Distance from work area : The distance from the work surface
should not be more than 4 ft.
Coin test/penny test
Place the coin on the film, turn on the safelight and leave for
approximately 1–5 min. Process the film in the normal way. Fogging of
the film due to safelight will then be obvious when compared to the clear
area protected by the coin.
X-RAY FILM
Take an unexposed film from newly opened box and process it in
freshly prepared solution. The film is then viewed.
• Fresh film : It appears clearer with blue tint which means film is
properly stored and protected.
• Fogged film : It appears fogged, meaning that film has expired,
improperly stored or exposed to radiation.
PROCESSING
Developer Strength
The solution must reached optimum temperature of 20°C for manual
processing and 28°C for automatic processing.
Step-wedge film :
Step-wedge film is a device with small, graduated increase in the
thickness of its material.
Step wedge can be made in dental office by following
method :
• Tape six pieces of lead foil from the film packets on
the end of tongue blade.
• The first two pieces should be 1 in. long, second two
pieces ¾ in. long and third two pieces should be ½ in.
long.
• Tape these foil pieces in three steps, with one step
having six layers, second having four layers, and third
having two layers.
• Cut the excess foil from the side and tape the foil
layer to the tongue blade.
Step-wedge radiograph
Take a radiograph of step wedge using known exposure factors.
Process the film in fresh solution and produce a standard reference
film with level of increasing density.
Repeat using the same exposure factor every day as the solution
becomes depleted.
Compare it every day with standard reference step wedge film to
determine objectively any decrease in blackening of the processed film
which would indicate deterioration of the developer.
Fixer Strength
To monitor fixing following tests are carried out:
• Preparation of film : Unwrap one film and immediately place it in
the fixer solution. Check the time taken for clearing.
• Fast clearing : If the film clears in 2 min, the fixer is of adequate
strength.
• Slow clearing : If the film is not completely cleared after 2 min,
then fixer strength is not adequate.