X-Ray Machine Maintenance

[Name of Dental Practice] About Templates Radiation Risk Assessment [Date]

Radiation Risk Assessment

This risk assessment deals primarily with the risks associated with radiographic equipment and radiation in the dental practice. The practice has also carried out a separate Health and Safety risk assessment.

The regulations covered by this risk assessment are the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999.

Location: Date: Inspection carried out by:

I agree that this risk assessment is an accurate reflection of the Radiation Protection condition of these premises.

Employer: (signature) Radiation Protection Adviser: (signature)

Risk Assessment Review

A review of this risk assessment will be undertaken at regular intervals [at least every 5 years or whenever there are significant changes to radiographic equipment, working methods or introduction of new legislation]. A copy of each review is kept on file.

The next review will take place on or before [date].

Examples to be adapted and supplemented as required are included in the form below for information.

SDCEP Practice Support Manual template (Jul 2012) Page 1 of 10 [Name of Dental Practice] About Templates Radiation Risk Assessment [Date]

What are the Who might be What are you already doing? W Action Action Done hazards? harmed and how? h by whom by when a t f u r t h e r a c ti o n i s n e c e s s a r y / r e

c o m m e n d e d ? Over-exposure Patients and staff. Equipment subject to regular to radiation Overexposure during testing and maintenance. radiographic Equipment is of suitable quality to examination due to ensure radiation doses are as low equipment failure or as reasonably practicable. staff error. Collimation and fast film speeds used. Diagnostic reference levels in accordance with national DRLs in place and adhered to. Contingency plans in place. Only entitled staff may carry out tasks related to radiography. Staff training and CPD. Total yearly Staff. Exposure Dose investigation level set. A exposure greater than dose Personal dosimetry will be carried f exceeds investigation level out if estimated annual dose o

practice dose due to large volume exceeds 1 mSv. r investigation of examinations A. Number of films per week m level. carried out. al B. Number of work weeks/year r C. Estimated max dose per e radiograph to staff at 2m from vi tube and patient outside main e beam = 0.125 µSv w Estimated max annual dose o f A x B x C = w o r ki n g c o n di ti o n s w ill b e u n

d e rt a k e n if r e s ul ts o f p e r s o n al d o si m e tr y s

u g g e st a n n u al d o s e e x c e e d s t h e d o s e in v

e st ig a ti o n le v el t o e n s u r e t h a t e x p o s u r e

t o r a di a ti o n is r e st ri ct e d a s f a r a s r e a s o n

a bl y p r a ct ic a bl e . Accidental Staff, patients and Patient identification procedure in exposure to members of the place. radiation public. Unintended Controlled area defined. exposure to radiation Only patient allowed in controlled due to mis- area when x-ray beam is activated. identification, equipment failure, If parent or carer is required to staff error or stay in controlled area during inadequate shielding. exposure, they will be informed of the risks and issued with a lead apron. Additional Patients. Poor image Regular maintenance and testing exposure to quality or processing of processing equipment. radiation resulting in clinically Quality assurance programme unacceptable x-ray monitors image and processing images and retakes quality. are required.

Clinical audit and peer review. Unnecessary Patients. Full clinical history and exam exposure to Radiographic required before referral for radiation examination radiography. undertaken Justification and authorisation unnecessarily i.e. required before exposure. previous radiographs were sufficient for patient’s treatment Other comments

SDCEP Practice Support Manual template (Jul 2012) Page 10 of 10