A radiographic method for measuring radiation dose based on beam quality.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a radiographic method for measuring radiation dose based on beam quality for inexpensive postal surveys of general dental practitioners.


METHODS
Different beam qualities were simulated to expose a commercially available film (X-Omat MA 18 x 22.4 cm, Ready Pack, Kodak Pathe, Paris, France). Density and contrast curves were fitted by means of 4th-degree polynomial functions. The curves were used to estimate beam quality (as the first HVL) and radiation dose in air for 22 different dental X-ray machines by means of linear interpolation. These estimations were compared with the measurements obtained with the NERO system and an ionization chamber (paired t-test).


RESULTS
No significant differences were found between the radiographic and the conventional methods in determining beam quality and radiation dose.


CONCLUSIONS
The radiographic method can be used to determine beam quality and radiation dose of dental X-ray machines from a single exposure. The radiographic method is simple and inexpensive and causes a minimum of disruption to the dental practice.
Syriopoulos
K
K
Department of Oral Radiology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands.
Velders
X L
XL
Geraets
W G
WG
van der Stelt
P F
PF
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D014962:X-Ray Film