NCRP Report No. 145, Radiation Protection in Dentistry was superseded by Report 177.
The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) announces the publication of NCRP Report No. 145, Radiation Protection in Dentistry. This Report was developed under the auspices of Scientific Committee 91, the NCRP program area committee concerned with radiation protection in medicine. The Report provides radiation protection guidance for the use of x rays in dental practice, including advice on shielding design for dental x-ray facilities. It supersedes NCRP Report No. 35, Dental X-Ray Protection, which was issued in March 1970.
Dentists who conduct their radiology practices in accordance with the requirements and suggestions in this Report can obtain maximum benefit to the oral health of their patients and minimum radiation exposure to patient, operator and the public. All of the factors addressed in this Report are important and interrelated. Quality practice dictates that none be neglected. The technical factors, including office design and shielding, equipment design, clinical techniques, image receptors, darkroom procedures, and quality assurance are essential. However, the professional skill and judgment of the dentist in prescribing radiologic examinations and interpreting the results are paramount.
Informed consent requires that dental patients be provided with information as to the benefits and risks of dental procedures, including dental radiography. This Report provides the dentist with data on the magnitude of effective doses from typical dental x-ray procedures. General statements are given that can be used to inform the patient about the nature of risks associated with these doses. Additional background on radiation risk assessment is included. Dentists are encouraged to use this information to educate their patients as opportunity provides.
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