Legislation

Question 1

what is the ultimate risk of ionising radiation?

Answer 1

death

Question 2

what is the legislation for equipment and the protection of staff and general public?

Answer 2

IRR99

Question 3

what is the legislation for the protection of patients?

Answer 3

IR(ME)R 2000

Question 4

what does IRR17 replace?

Answer 4

IRR99

Question 5

What did IR(ME)R17 replace?

Answer 5

IR(ME)R2000

Question 6

What approach did IRR17 introduce?

Answer 6

notification, registration, and licensing
- illegal to use equipment without registering

Question 7

what is an RPA?

Answer 7

radiation protection advisor

Question 8

what regulation does the RPA play a role in?

Answer 8

IRR17

Question 9

What is a controlled area?

Answer 9

only patients can be here during exposure
size depends on kv of machine
1.5m for under 70kv

Question 10

what size is the controlled area in DDH?

Answer 10

2m

Question 11

What is an RPS?

Answer 11

Radiation protection supervisor

Question 12

what legislation does the RPS play a comply with?

Answer 12

IRR17 and local rules

Question 13

what is the role of MPE?

Answer 13

advising on IR(ME)R compliance - must be involved in development and review of all dental procedures

Question 14

what are the 4 roles in radiography?

Answer 14

1. employer
2. referrer
3. practitioner
4. operator

Question 15

what must the employer do?

Answer 15

produce written procedures
have protocols for taking radiographs
appoint an RPA/MPE and RPS
Have and ensure staff read the local rules

Question 16

what are the written procedures produced by the employer?

Answer 16

• Entitlement of duty holders
• Identification of the patient.
• Demonstrate staff training and competence.
• Quality assurance of procedures/ documentation.
• Clinical audit.

Question 17

what are the local rules?

Answer 17

• Establish recommendations for selection criteria.
• Establish recommendations for radiation dose levels.
• Ensuring a clinical evaluation of every image is carried out, including where appropriate factors relating to patient dose.

Question 18

what is the purpose of selection criteria?

Answer 18

help overcome the wide variation in practise and minimise or prevent any inappropriate radiographic examinations

Question 19

who is the referrer?

Answer 19

A registered medical practitioner, dental practitioner or other health professional who is entitled in accordance with the employers procedures to refer individuals for medical exposure to a practitioner

Question 20

what does the referrer do?

Answer 20

• Supply practitioner with sufficient information to allow the exposure to be justified.
• State that there is a net benefit to the patient.
• Signed a request form*
• Given details to allow correct identification of the patient*

Question 21

who is the practitioner?

Answer 21

registered health care professional

Question 22

what are dental nurses entitled to do?

Answer 22

process radiographs

Question 23

what can the dental hygienist do?

Answer 23

prescribe and take radiographs, process and interpret

Question 24

what can the clinical dental technician do?

Answer 24

Take and process radiographs and other images related to providing removable dental appliances.

Question 25

what type of patients must be seen by the dentist before the technician?

Answer 25

patients with natural teeth or implants

Question 26

how often should x-ray units be tested?

Answer 26

annually but minimum every 3 years

Question 27

what must be done to look after radiograh equipment?

Answer 27

-Must have an up-to-date inventory.
-X-ray units must be tested regularly.
-Preferably annually but minimum of every 3 years
-Must include representative patient dose.
-Routine maintenance by yourselves and the manufacturer/ supplier.

Question 28

who is a comforter/ carer according to IR(ME)R17?

Answer 28

anyone aiding a patient during examination.

Question 29

what must you do when the dose is greater than intended?

Answer 29

• Inform patient.
• Duty of candour legislation
• Inform referrer.