Ionising Radiation Regulations Flashcards
Revision for online assessment
What is Ionising Radiation?
X-rays
Electromagnetic wave (short)
Travel in straight lines
They are invisible, cannot be felt or heard
Meaning of Latrogenic in dentistry?
An overhang or perforation
X-rays penetrate matter in varying degrees to form an image, what is meant by the word ‘unaltered’
beam hits the matter and a LITTLE of the beam is absorbed
RADIOLUCENT - appears almost black on image (soft tissues)
X-rays penetrate matter in varying degrees to form an image, what is meant by the word ‘scattered’
beam hits the matter and energy is released in different directions
X-rays penetrate matter in varying degrees to form an image, what is meant by the word ‘absorbed’
beam hits the matter and A LOT of the beam is absorbed
RADIOPAQUE - appears white on image (enamel, metal)
Does Ionising Radiation damage tissue?
Yes - low dose can damage or alter DNA/CHROMOSOMES
High dose - appears like sunburn (red and inflamed)
Define Justification
Clinically justified by dentist only
Benefits to patient outweigh the risks of being exposed to ionising radiation
Define Optimisation
Following the 3 principles of ALARP/ALARA
What does ALARP stand for?
As Low As Reasonably Possible/Practicable
List the 3 principles of ALARP
F speed film
Shorter exposure time
Rectangular Collimator
If you follow the 3 principles of ALARP how much is scatter reduced by?
40%
What does IRR17/99 stand for?
Who does it protect?
Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017/1999 Classified workers (dental staff/personnel)
What does IR(ME)R18/2000 stand for?
Who does it protect?
Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2018/2000 Patients
Which organisation has to be notified when using ionising radiation on the dental premises?
Health & Safety Executive
List roles and responsibilities of the Legal Person
Responsible for all staff to comply with both regulations
Appoint an RPA
Appoint an RPS
Draw up and display set of Local Rules - with help from RPA
Organise 3 yearly checks of x-ray equipment
Which organisation carries out the 3 yearly checks of the x-ray equipment and issues the staff monitoring badges (dosimeters/dosimetry)?
Health Protection Agency
What does RPA stand for?
Radiation Protection Adviser
What is the job title and the role of an Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA)?
Medical Expert/Physicist
Independent to practice (external) who provides advice to workplace
Installs new x-ray equipment
Carries out risk assessments (every 5 years)
Maintains and services x-ray equipment (every 3 years)
Assesses staff protection
Advice on Quality Assurance Programme
What does RPS stand for?
Radiation Protection Supervisor
What is the role of an Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) ?
Staff member (internal) who is responsible for all staff to comply with both regulations
Maintain a ‘Radiation Protection File’
Training of staff to level of their responsibility
Update Local Rules under RPA advice
Organise and run a Quality Assurance Programme
Organise quality control tests
Name the 3 personnel appointed under IRR17/99?
Legal Person
Radiation Protection Adviser
Radiation Protection Supervisor
Name the 3 personnel appointed under IR(ME)R18/2000?
IR(ME)R Referrer - dentist who refers patient for exposure to radiation
IR(ME)R Practitioner - dentist who justifies taking of the x-ray
IR(ME)R Operator - any staff member involved in the exposure and processing of the image including TRAINEE DENTAL NURSES
Are lead aprons required?
No longer required
How do we protect patients from accidental exposure to ionising radiation?
Identify correct patient - how?
Exposure only carried out by qualified/classified personnel (training logged in Radiation Protection File)
Justification
Optimisation (ALARP principles)
Quality Assurance Programme
Accidental Exposure - all x-ray equipment have a separate isolation switch, illuminated panel and buzzer
