Health and Safety Policy Arrangements: Radiation Protection Guidelines. Can I have an X-ray if I'm pregnant? Last reviewed 14 January 2012. Churchill Livingstone, 2009.Ĭolgate Oral and Dental Health Resource Center. Radiography and radiology for dental care professionals, 2nd ed. Guidance notes for dental practitioners on the safe use of X-ray equipment. National Radiological Protection Board, March 2002. Radiation exposure of the UK population from medical and dental X-ray examinations. The chaperone must then be given the time to ask questions and the opportunity to refuse exposure. The risks must then be explained clearly to the chaperone and also, the reasons for taking the radiograph. The RPS will then usually write back with a response either allowing or refusing the use of a chaperone. The clinician should explain the situation of why the patient requires a chaperone and why the patient needs to have the radiograph taken. At this point, the clinician should write to the Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) who may refer them to the Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA). The patient goes through the normal process of justification however, the exposure to X-rays does not benefit the chaperone. This process of justification becomes more complicated when the patient needs a chaperone during exposure to X-rays examples of this include child patients or adult patients with mental/learning difficulties. Due to the damage that X-rays can cause, clinicians must justify whether the benefit of taking the radiograph outweighs the risk of harm to the patient. 3 Every patient who is considered for radiographs should be assessed through a process of justification. 5 The developing foetus is at risk of congenital abnormalities, mental deficiencies or even death if exposed to high amounts of radiation. Routine X-rays are often deferred until after the pregnancy. The reproductive organs are very sensitive to X-rays and it is largely advised that pregnant women do not have radiographs taken unless it is absolutely necessary.
UNDER EXPOSURE X RAY SKIN
X-rays have been linked to leukaemia, tumours, cataracts, and skin reddening. It should be noted that the operator must still be able to see the patient directly or via a mirror, and that they should be able to reach the mains switch easily in case of prolonged exposure to the patient. If it is possible, it is advised to stand further than 1.5 metres away from the X-ray tube head and the patient. This can be avoided with simple measures such as turning the patient's head or by more permanent options such as installing lead shielding in the walls. The so-called ‘safe distance’ is a lot further when standing directly in the path of the beam. It is strongly advised that people do not stand directly in the path of the X-ray beam. 3 This refers to standing behind or beside the patient. The control zone is 1.5 metres around the X-ray tube head and the patient. It is advised that everyone except the patient stands away from the direct area of exposure. When a photon is scattered, it changes from the desired course and is deflected in other directions, including behind the X-ray tube head. When the exposure button is pressed, the photons are released, and are either absorbed or scattered. Each X-ray beam is made up of millions of photons. They are equivalent to one quantum of energy and are undetectable by human senses. X-rays are made up of photons which could be described as ‘packets of energy’.