Radiation Protection in Dentistry and Oral & Maxillofacial Imaging

Book excerpt: "The purpose of this Report is to enhance radiation safety in dentistry and to reinforce published, well-known dose-reduction methods that are not yet being widely applied in the day-to-day practice of dentistry. The technological advances since NCRP Report No. 145 require changing attitudes and practices of dentists because opportunities are now available for decreasing radiation doses while maintaining or improving diagnostic efficacy. This Report updates the information in NCRP Report No.145, adds new content on digital imaging, handheld x-ray devices, and CBCT, and makes recommendations for reducing patient radiation doses while maintaining or improving image quality, all in the context of the ALARA principle"--