RADIATION HAZARDS AND PROTECTION

PROTECTIVE MEASURES AND STANDARDS

a. General. Every possible safety precaution must be utilized when exposing radiographs. Collimation and filtration are only two of the several measures used to protect the patient and the technician from ionizing radiation. If all safety rules are strictly adhered to, the technician should receive no radiation and the patient exposure will be minimal. Even with the numerous safety precautions, accidental exposure is still possible.

b. Technician Protection and Standards.

(1) Radiation monitoring. AR 40-14 prescribes monitoring practices for Army personnel. It requires all primary x-ray technicians to wear a dosimeter or film badge. The dosimeter monitors or measures radiation received by the technician. The results are recorded on DD Form 1141. This form is kept permanently and made a part of the individual's health record.

(2) Radiation standards. For the technician operating a dental x-ray machine, the level of radiation must not ever exceed an accumulated whole body dose, in rems, of five times the number of years beyond age 18 and a maximum of three rems in any 3-month period.

NOTE: The term rem refers to "roentgen equivalent in man," a unit measuring the biological effect of radiation energy. For x-rays, 1 rem is equal to 1 rad, or "radiation absorbed dose" (rad).

(3) Protective booth and shields. Standards for dental x-ray booths or rooms require a shielding thickness of 1/16-inch lead or equivalent. The timer switch used to activate the machine for exposures is permanently affixed to the outside wall. The timer switch is mounted outside the protective shielding to prevent the operator from standing inside the booth during exposures. The shield is so designed that the radiation must scatter at least twice before reaching the x-ray technician. Leaded glass on the booth or shield provides a continuous view of the patient during the exposure. Consequently, any holding of the film or tube head by the x-ray technician is strictly prohibited.

c. Patient Protection. It is the responsibility of the x-ray technician to use all available protective measures to reduce exposure to the patient. Only those radiographs requested by the dental officer will be taken. Be sure that a good quality x-ray is produced each time a request is made. Wrong exposures, improper exposures, and faulty processing techniques must be avoided. These mistakes result in retakes and unnecessary patient exposure. Also, the lead apron must be used for every exposure. These safety devices significantly reduce patient exposure.