Ionising Radiation Regulations Flashcards Preview

Unit 306 Dental Radiography > Ionising Radiation Regulations > Flashcards

Flashcards in Ionising Radiation Regulations Deck (34)
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1
Q

What is Ionising Radiation?

A

X-rays
Electromagnetic wave (short)
Travel in straight lines
They are invisible, cannot be felt or heard

2
Q

Meaning of Latrogenic in dentistry?

A

An overhang or perforation

3
Q

X-rays penetrate matter in varying degrees to form an image, what is meant by the word ‘unaltered’

A

beam hits the matter and a LITTLE of the beam is absorbed

RADIOLUCENT - appears almost black on image (soft tissues)

4
Q

X-rays penetrate matter in varying degrees to form an image, what is meant by the word ‘scattered’

A

beam hits the matter and energy is released in different directions

5
Q

X-rays penetrate matter in varying degrees to form an image, what is meant by the word ‘absorbed’

A

beam hits the matter and A LOT of the beam is absorbed

RADIOPAQUE - appears white on image (enamel, metal)

6
Q

Does Ionising Radiation damage tissue?

A

Yes - low dose can damage or alter DNA/CHROMOSOMES

High dose - appears like sunburn (red and inflamed)

7
Q

Define Justification

A

Clinically justified by dentist only

Benefits to patient outweigh the risks of being exposed to ionising radiation

8
Q

Define Optimisation

A

Following the 3 principles of ALARP/ALARA

9
Q

What does ALARP stand for?

A

As Low As Reasonably Possible/Practicable

10
Q

List the 3 principles of ALARP

A

F speed film
Shorter exposure time
Rectangular Collimator

11
Q

If you follow the 3 principles of ALARP how much is scatter reduced by?

A

40%

12
Q

What does IRR17/99 stand for?

Who does it protect?

A
Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017/1999
Classified workers (dental staff/personnel)
13
Q

What does IR(ME)R18/2000 stand for?

Who does it protect?

A
Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2018/2000
Patients
14
Q

Which organisation has to be notified when using ionising radiation on the dental premises?

A

Health & Safety Executive

15
Q

List roles and responsibilities of the Legal Person

A

Responsible for all staff to comply with both regulations
Appoint an RPA
Appoint an RPS
Draw up and display set of Local Rules - with help from RPA
Organise 3 yearly checks of x-ray equipment

16
Q

Which organisation carries out the 3 yearly checks of the x-ray equipment and issues the staff monitoring badges (dosimeters/dosimetry)?

A

Health Protection Agency

17
Q

What does RPA stand for?

A

Radiation Protection Adviser

18
Q

What is the job title and the role of an Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA)?

A

Medical Expert/Physicist
Independent to practice (external) who provides advice to workplace
Installs new x-ray equipment
Carries out risk assessments (every 5 years)
Maintains and services x-ray equipment (every 3 years)
Assesses staff protection
Advice on Quality Assurance Programme

19
Q

What does RPS stand for?

A

Radiation Protection Supervisor

20
Q

What is the role of an Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) ?

A

Staff member (internal) who is responsible for all staff to comply with both regulations
Maintain a ‘Radiation Protection File’
Training of staff to level of their responsibility
Update Local Rules under RPA advice
Organise and run a Quality Assurance Programme
Organise quality control tests

21
Q

Name the 3 personnel appointed under IRR17/99?

A

Legal Person
Radiation Protection Adviser
Radiation Protection Supervisor

22
Q

Name the 3 personnel appointed under IR(ME)R18/2000?

A

IR(ME)R Referrer - dentist who refers patient for exposure to radiation
IR(ME)R Practitioner - dentist who justifies taking of the x-ray
IR(ME)R Operator - any staff member involved in the exposure and processing of the image including TRAINEE DENTAL NURSES

23
Q

Are lead aprons required?

A

No longer required

24
Q

How do we protect patients from accidental exposure to ionising radiation?

A

Identify correct patient - how?
Exposure only carried out by qualified/classified personnel (training logged in Radiation Protection File)
Justification
Optimisation (ALARP principles)
Quality Assurance Programme
Accidental Exposure - all x-ray equipment have a separate isolation switch, illuminated panel and buzzer

25
Q

Where will you find Local Rules (list of information)?

A

By each x-ray machine

In the Radiation Protection File

26
Q

Who writes the Local Rules?

A

Radiation Protection Adviser

27
Q

Who has to legally display the Local Rules?

A

Legal Person

28
Q

Which Ionising Radiation Regulation does Local Rules apply to?

A

IRR17/99

29
Q

What is the identification of the Controlled area?

A

1.5m (metres)

30
Q

What is the identification of the Safety Zone?

A

2m (metres)

31
Q

What instructions would you follow if the x-ray machine malfunctions?

A

Contingency Plan

32
Q

Which person would you report any ionising radiation concerns to within your workplace?

A

Radiation Protection Supervisor

33
Q

Which person would you contact if you had any concerns regarding the exposure setting or exposure dose?

A

Medical physics Expert - MPE

34
Q
A