Mail survey of dental radiographic techniques and radiation doses in Greece.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the entrance dose from periapical radiography in Greece and to determine the relative influence of factors affecting it.


METHODS
Special packs, containing a questionnaire, a film (X-Omat MA 18 x 22.4 cm, Ready Pack, Kodak-Pathe, Paris, France) with an attached aluminium stepwedge and a pre-exposed Ektaspeed Plus (Kodak) film, were mailed to 550 randomly selected dental practitioners. The results were tested statistically using an Analysis of Variance (level P < 0.05).


RESULTS
Three hundred and sixty-four packs were returned: 311 were complete but in 53 the pre-exposed film had not been developed. The average HVL was 1.4 mm Al 51% of the units had pointed cones and 34% a beam diameter larger than 6 cm. 54% of the dentists used E-speed films. Eighty per cent of the films were inadequately processed. For the total group the average entrance dose was 6.9 mGy (range 0.6-36 mGy), and 6.3 mGy (range 0.6-35 mGy) for the completed packs (n = 311). The radiation dose for the completed packs was significantly influenced by HVL, film speed, length of cone and standard of processing.


CONCLUSIONS
HVL, film speed, length of cone and standards of processing influence the entrance dose. Not all of the available measures for reducing radiation dose are commonly practised in Greece. Continuing education programs can help to improve radiation safety for dental patients.
Syriopoulos
K
K
Department of Oral Radiology, Academic Centre for Dentistry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Velders
X L
XL
van der Stelt
P F
PF
van Ginkel
F C
FC
Tsiklakis
K
K
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006115:Greece; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D011177:Postal Service; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014962:X-Ray Film