X RADIATION IN DENTAL OFFICES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA. PART I

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology (U.S.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-4220(63)90192-0· OSTI ID:4142553

Wuehrmann, A H; Manson-Hing, L R; Jamison, H C

In addition to use of a questionnaire, the survey included: consultation with dentists and, when necessary, with the dental assistants or hygienists; observation of the physical facilities, protection measures, and darkroom facilities and procedures; and physical measurement of radiation characteristics and protection factors. The survey methods used, particularly for monitoring primary, scattered, and leakage radiation, are described in detail. The survey covered 195 private offices and industrial clinics in which 206 dentists used 222 x-ray machines. Most (82%) dentists previously had either obtained a radiologic safety survey, used some type of personnel monitoring, modified their machines, arranged for the operator and assistant to be shielded, or sought positions at least 6 ft away from the machine when it was operated. Two dentists out of 206 reported noticing changes thought to be related to excessive exposure. Each had had a digit amputated because of pathologic changes. One had held films for patients routinely for two years and the other for 18 years before the changes were noticed. Three others reported having held the films routinely for periods of 1 month, 10 years, and 39 years, but no evidence of pathologic change was noted. Of the 191 darkrooms examined, 74 were judged to have inadequate conditions; approximates 40% of the dentists use the fastest intraoral film available. Estimates of the weekly roentgenographic work load ranged from 13 to 9020 ma-sec. The estimated annual whole-body exposure of one operator exceeded 2000 mr and nine other operators and/or assistants received annual exposures in excess of 1000 mr; 89% of the operators and assistants received less than 100 mr annually. For three of the machines surveyed, leakage measurements greater than 50000 mr/hr were obtained. One other machine yielded a measurement of 15000 mr/ hr. Almost 5% of the machines needed both additional filters and collimating diaphragms to conform to the accepted standards. Another 19% needed additional filters only, and 11% needed collimating diaphragms only. Corrective measures were taken in many cases. (BBB)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-005157
• OSTI ID: 4142553
• Journal Information: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology (U.S.), Journal Name: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 16; ISSN OSOMA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALABAMA
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BODY
BONES
ENERGY
FILMS
FILTERS
LEAKS
MEASURED VALUES
MEDICINE
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
PERSONNEL
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIOGRAPHY
SAFETY
SHIELDING
TEETH
USA
X RADIATION