Author Topic: x-ray machines in dental practises.  (Read 9761 times)

Offline Pointer

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x-ray machines in dental practises.
« on: December 16, 2010, 08:14:56 AM »
Can anyone tell me for certain or guide me in the right direction as to whether there is a need for lead lined doors to dental consulting rooms where digital x-ray machines are used. Also would fire resisting doors of substantial construction provide the necessary degree of shielding required should a degree of shielding be required.
I am considering normal dental consulting rooms here and not full blown x-ray theatres.



Offline kurnal

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Re: x-ray machines in dental practises.
« Reply #1 on: December 16, 2010, 08:21:47 AM »
I would ask the manufacturer of the equipment. They will produce a safe system of work for the machine which will cover the risk to exposure. The Health Proytection Agency enforce this and are responsible for guidance, licensing schemes and setting safe limits.

http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation

You may be better to ask your question under the  Healthcare thread, whilst it is doubtful anyone here will be competent to answer your question directly there are more likely to be people who will know where to point you.

I will check on progress later and may move this thread across  if there are no more replies
« Last Edit: December 16, 2010, 08:27:47 AM by kurnal »

Offline Davo

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Re: x-ray machines in dental practises.
« Reply #2 on: December 16, 2010, 09:15:39 AM »
Pointer

Do the staff wear protective gear?

X rays normally only travel a few feet, and its doubtful persons passing by will be exposed.

If you went for an X Ray yourself, no more than 6 per year!


davo

Offline Mike Buckley

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Re: x-ray machines in dental practises.
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2010, 12:16:38 PM »
"Also would fire resisting doors of substantial construction provide the necessary degree of shielding required should a degree of shielding be required."

I would doubt it. The penetration of radiation is dependant on the density of the material it is passing through hence the use of lead, so if the door needed to be shielded to stop the radiation, a normal fire door would not be sufficient.
The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it.

Offline AnthonyB

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Re: x-ray machines in dental practises.
« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2010, 10:53:40 PM »
A major national chain of dentists we work for don't use lead doors and have all the necessary radiological safety & monitoring paperwork to support this.

Mostly FD30s doors are used, or normal doors (some of which are being upgraded/replaced resulting from FRAs)
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Offline Pointer

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Re: x-ray machines in dental practises.
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2010, 07:48:57 AM »
Thanks for the responses so far, especially the reference to the Health Protection agency which I had already contacted but was awaiting a reply and similarly with the British Dental Association.
I just wondered if anyone had any personal experience of dealing with dental practices on a regular basis. My own understanding is that modern digital x-ray equipment probably wouldn’t require lead lined doors but the customer (dentist) thinks they are probably required. While we would be happy to quote for the supply and fix of lead lined fire resisting doors what is the point if they aren’t really necessary.
In this case I have doubts as to whether the practise has appointed a suitably qualified radiological protection adviser as is required by law and are relying on outdated information. No doubt that if lead lined doors will be required they will also need to address the issues of shielding with regard to floors, walls and ceilings.  Some of the consulting rooms are on the first floor, the building is a converted three storey house and some of the walls on the upper floors are lath and black mortar construction.


Offline AnthonyB

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Re: x-ray machines in dental practises.
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2010, 11:23:16 PM »
We work for the biggest independent dental chain in the UK - the number of premises I'm referring to here number over 300. Some of the really old ones have the remnants of such protection from long gone equipment, but it's not something in current use.
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Offline SandDancer

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Re: x-ray machines in dental practises.
« Reply #7 on: December 21, 2010, 12:28:01 PM »
Contacted our (hospital) Radiation department and shielding depends on the recommendations/calculations(including strength. location of equipent, construction materials of room etc )of the Radiation Protection Advisor which the practice should contract in to carry out a survey.

So in answer to your first question it may or may not require lead shielding depending on the recommendation of the Radiation Protection Advisor. In regards to your second post personnally I would be asking him if they had a Radiation Protection Advisor (suitably qualified) and if so implementing the RPA's Assessment.
If they dont have one I would make them aware that they need one to meet legislation.

Offline Pointer

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Re: x-ray machines in dental practises.
« Reply #8 on: January 05, 2011, 01:30:36 PM »
Thanks guys for your help you have confirmed my own thoughts on this matter. It's nice to be able to bounce ideas off other people something that I miss since leaving the fire service where it was always possible to get another view on things.