title: Radiation safety: what can happen in an accident.
abstract: Radiation hazards in dental practice have long been recognized, and the dangers from ionising radiation during dental radiography are discussed elsewhere. Continuing legislation will undoubtedly help reduce the risk of over-exposure and accidents. Nevertheless, it is of some concern that radiation safety is still ignored by some: for example, one recent survey in the UK showed that not all radiography sets conformed to modern safety standards. However, the profession also has reason to be concerned about more public radiation hazards that may affect them, and their families and others, and may, without denying the importance of dental radiation protection, have far greater effects on health. Well-known examples of domestic radon exposure occurred in the UK, particularly in the Lake District and the South West, and the nuclear reactor accidents--notably at Chernobyl in 1986.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Oral Medicine, Surgery and Pathology, Bristol Dental Hospital.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scully
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: de Almeida
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D001938:Brazil; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000209:etiology; D002586:Cesium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002712:Chlorides; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011693:Purpura / Q000209:etiology; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D011850:Radioactive Waste / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D011850:Radioactive Waste; D002586:Cesium; C028019:cesium chloride