Unit 306 Flashcards
Why do we take dental radiographs?
To diagnose and detect
Dental caries on a radiograph shows up as…
a dark area extending inwards from the enamel.
Periodontal disease shows up as…
A loss of the lamina dura (compact bone)
loss of height of the alveolar bone
widening of the periodontal ligament space.
Periodontal and periapical abscesses show up as…
A dark circular area at the apex.
Destruction of the apical lamina dura and spongy bone.
Cysts show up as…
enlarged darker areas surrounding other structures
Can sometimes push tooth roots out of their normal positions.
Examples of Latrogenic problems caused by the dentist:
Overhanging restorations
Root perforations by posts.
If a 14 year old patient had still not recieved their UL3 what would a radiograph detect?
Supernumerary and unerupted teeth
To determine the congenital absence of unerupted teeth
What does congenital absence mean?
Permanent absence of tooth
If a patient had a large swelling on the jaw what could a radiograph determine?
Hard tissue lesions such as bone cysts, tumours
Examples of what treatments radiographs are used in:
Endodontics
Extraction
Orthodontics
Implants
Preparations crown/bridge
A type of ionising radiation…
X-ray
What type of radiation is an X-ray?
Electromagnetic
What does radiopaque mean and examples?
Radiation cant pass through
Appear light grey to white
Crowns, restorations
What does radiolucent mean and examples?
Radiation can pass through
Appear dark grey to black
Cavities, soft tissues
The outer layer of bone on an xray will appear whiter than the cancellous inner layer.
What is the reason behind x-rays hitting the atoms of the tissue cells?
Scatter or absorbtion
What can happen if radiation energy is absorbed into our tissue cells?
Tissue damage
If the radiation energy hit the chromosomes in our body what could happen?
Damage
Undergo change “MUTATION”
Possibly the chromosomes would die.
What does ALARP stand for?
As low as reasonably practicable
What does ALARA stand for?
As low as reasonably achievable
Where is the controlled zone when an x-ray is being took?
Inside the surgery with the patient.
Why should Quality assurance systems be regularly operated (audits)?
Ensure the dental images produced are to a consistently high standard.
Is ionising radiation potentially hazardous to health?
YES
Is there a safe level of use regarding radiation?
NO
What can an overdose of radiation cause?
Ranges from a mild burn to leukaemia and potentially death.
Who was the IRR17 enforced by?
HSE - Health and safety executive
IR(ME)R 2017 + IR(ME)R (NI) 2017 is enforced by in different areas of the UK:
CQC - england
HIW - Wales
IRMER Inspector - scotland
RQIA - northern ireland
Who is the IRR17 concerned with?
Staff
Who is the IRMER17 concerned with?
Staff and patients
What does scatter radiation do?
It bounces of tissue cells during exposure in an uncontrolled manner and can re-expose the patient several times.
Increasing the radiation dose.
What has been put in place to reduce the amount of scatter radiation from taking place?
- Use of fast films such as F speed intraoral films
- Short exposure time - modern x-ray machines, fast films and fast intensifying screens in extraoral cassettes.
- Rectangular collimator tubes - provide a parallel x-ray beam.
HSE - graded approach
Low risk - notify the HSE
Medium risk - Register with the HSE
High risk - Recieve consent from the HSE
What grade does dental radiography fall into with the HSE?
Medium risk
Who is the legal person?
Employer - internal
Ensures the workplaces full compliance with both sets of regulations.
Who is the radiation protection Advisor RPA ?
Specialist person/organisation - external
Give advice on staff and public safety in relation to both sets of regulations.
Routine radiation surverys
Who is the Medical Physics Expert MPE?
Specialist - external (Falls under the IRMER)
Give advice on the matters of radiation protection concerning medical and non-medical exposures, including the measurement and optimisation of patient doses and QA.
Who is the radiation protection supervisor RPS?
Senior dentist or DCP (post qaul in radiography)- interal
Assess risks and ensure precautions are taken to minimise them.
IRR17
What is the legal person responsible for?
Organising a 3 yearly assessment of radiation safety within the workplace.
Drawing up the local rules - referred to by all staff
Where should the local rules be located?
At each X-ray machine
A copy in the radiation protection file
Safety zone - 2m
Controlled area -1.5m
What is the usual dose investigation level?
Anything above 1 mSv per year
What must the Radiation protection supervisor hold to be a RPS?
Certificate of competence
Recognised by the HSE
Who is the referrer of dental radiographs?
The dentists
IRMER practitioner…
The dentist or radiographer (therapists) who takes responsibility for JUSTIFYING the taking of the radiograph.
Operator…
Any member of the dental team who carries out all or part of the practical duties involved with exposure or processing.
Can therapists be an IRMER practitioner in the hospital?
NO
What patient should not be exposed to radiation?
Pregnant patient
What to do during accidental exposure/machine malfunction?
Turn off the main power source.