Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Department of Medical Physics
& Clinical Engineering
Singleton Hospital, Swansea
Dental
Radiation Protection Services
Our Aims
What our Service provides
We are a team of Radiation Protection Advisers, Clinical Scientists and Tech-
nologists based at Singleton Hospital. Members of the team have up to twenty
five years experience in the field of radiation protection. We have provided
services to community dentist since our establishment in 1975.
Who are we?
Our purpose is to aid dental practices using X-rays to comply with the legisla-
tive requirements that exist to regulate the use of ionising radiation for medi-
cal diagnosis. The relevant ionising radiation regulations are:
• The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99) which deal with the pro-
tection of staff and public from ionising radiation at work. Under these
regulations the radiation Employer must appoint a suitable Radiation Pro-
tection Adviser (RPA).
• The Ionising Radiations Medical Exposure Regulations 2000 & The Ionising
Radiations Medical Exposure Amendment Regulations 2006, referred to as
IR(ME)R, which deal with protecting the patient from exposure to ionising
radiation. Under these regulations the radiation Employer must consult with
a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in order to assist with optimising patient ex-
posure.
We aim to improve the range of radiation protection services available to
dentists. We offer an efficient and reliable service tailored to the customer’s
needs and our location in Swansea enables us to visit your dental practice to:
• Examine the X-ray and associated equipment
• Inspect local rules and employer’s procedures
• Appraise in-house QA procedures
• Assess the adequacy of radiation protection barriers
Service details
Appointment of Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA)
The RPA is able to assist with implementing the requirements of IRR99. This
includes the designation of radiation areas, risk assessments, personal radia-
tion monitoring and the preparation of local rules and quality assurance. Ad-
vice is available by telephone during typical working hours and will be in-
cluded in written reports following inspection.
Quality assurance of intra-oral and panoramic X-ray equipment
QA includes measurement of performance characteristics such as
• X-ray beam quality
• Reproducibility of radiation exposure
• Exposure time and kV accuracy
• Radiation leakage from X-ray tube
• Function of warning devices
• Assessment of image quality
Assistance with in-house QA
The adoption of QA procedures within your dental practice is a requirement
under IRR99. Our specialised staff are able to share expertise with practice
staff who perform QA and can be a source of encouragement to staff who
may be new to QA. A full assessment of procedures is made and guidance
given.
Environmental survey
An assessment is made of the radiation levels in areas within and adjacent to
the X-ray unit. Specialised equipment is used to ensure that existing barriers
are adequate and that radiation areas are correctly designated in accordance
with IRR99.
Appointment of Medical Physics Expert (MPE)
The MPE is able to assist with dose optimisation, the use of Diagnostic Refer-
ence Levels (DRLs) and audit of Employer’s procedures. Radiation dose deliv-
ered from techniques employed at your practice will be measured and com-
pared with national guidelines. Advice on optimisation and adoption of appro-
priate DRLs will be provided in a written report together with advice on the
content of Employer’s procedures.
Your Radiation Protection File
The contents of your file (containing local rules, Employer’s procedures and
in-house QA documentation) will be appraised.
How to take up our services?
Please contact Alan Woodward or Simon Evans for details and costs
What we need to know
•••• The number of X-ray units in your practice
• A contact name, address and telephone number/fax/ e-mail
TEAM MEMBERS
Alan Woodward & Simon Evans
Radiation Protection Advisers/ Medical Physics Experts
Matthew Ager
Clinical Scientist
John Breen & Alex Hallett Clinical Technologists
Radiation Protection Service Department of Medical Physics & Clinical Engineering, Singleton Hospital, Swansea SA2 8QA
���� 01792 285840 Fax: 01792 205776
���� Email: [email protected] , [email protected]
