page_title: Dental radiography
section_title: Regulations
hierarchical_section_title: Dental radiography / Regulations
caption_attribution_description: English: Dental x-ray unit installed in a dental office (Siemens Heliodent DS)
context_page_description: Dental radiographs are commonly called X-rays. Dentists use radiographs for many reasons: to find hidden dental structures, malignant or benign masses, bone loss, and cavities.
  A radiographic image is formed by a controlled burst of X-ray radiation which penetrates oral structures at different levels, depending on varying anatomical densities, before striking the film or sensor. Teeth appear lighter because less radiation penetrates them to reach the film. Dental caries, infections and other changes in the bone density, and the periodontal ligament, appear darker because X-rays readily penetrate these less dense structures. Dental restorations may appear lighter or darker, depending on the density of the material.
  The dosage of X-ray radiation received by a dental patient is typically small, equivalent to a few days' worth of background environmental radiation exposure, or similar to the dose received during a cross-country airplane flight. Incidental exposure is further reduced by the use of a lead shield, lead apron, sometimes with a lead thyroid collar.
context_section_description: There are numerous risks associated with the taking of dental radiographs, even though the dose to the patient is minimal, the collective dose needs to be considered in this context as well. Therefore, it is incumbent on the operator and prescriber to be aware of their responsibilities when it comes to exposing a patient to ionizing radiation. The United Kingdom has 2 sets of regulations related to the taking of x-rays. These are the Ionizing Radiations Regulations 2017 and IRMER (Ionizing Radiations Medical Exposures Regulations) 2018. IRR17 principally relates to the protection of workers and the public, along with the equipment standards. IRMER18 is specific for patient protection. These regulations replace the previous versions which were being followed for many years (IRR99 and IRMER2000). This change has come primarily due to Basic Safety Standards Directive 2013 (BSSD; also known as European Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom), which all European Union member states are legally required to transpose into their national laws by 2018.
  The above regulations are specific to the United Kingdom. Whereas the EU and USA are principally governed by the directive 2013/59/Eurotam and The Federal Guidance For Radiation Protection respectively. The goal of all these standards, including others governing other countries, is primarily to protect the patient, operators, maintain safe equipment and ensure quality assurance. The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has also published an accompanying Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and associated guidance, which gives practical advise on how to comply with the law. Following the ACoP is not obligatory. However, compliance with it can prove very beneficial for the legal person if they were to face any negligence or lack of compliance to the law issues, as it will confirm that the said legal person has been implementing good practice.
caption: Dental X-ray unit installed in a dental office
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