title: Dose area product reference levels in dental panoramic radiology.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure DAP (Dose Area Product) values in panoramic radiology with the use of a DAP meter, to determine corresponding reference levels, and to compare DAP between panoramic and intraoral radiology. DAP was measured in 62 panoramic X-ray units for 3 types of exposure (male, female and child) and in 20 intraoral X-ray units of 50, 60 and 70 kVp. DAP reference levels were 117 mGy cm2, 97 mGy cm2 and 77 mGy cm2 for exposure of a male, female and child respectively. Results showed that DAP from a panoramic dental examination is approximately twice that from a single intraoral examination. DAP meter is a very convenient and easy to use tool for patient dosimetry and for the establishment of reference levels in dental panoramic radiology.
authors.affiliation: Medical Physicist, 251 Airforce General Hospital of Athens, P. Kanellopoulou 3, Athens, Greece. tierri@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Christine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Tierris
authors.forename: Emmanuel N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Yakoumakis
authors.forename: George N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Bramis
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Georgiou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001822:Body Burden; D002648:Child; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012016:Reference Values; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors