title: The consistent image--how to improve the quality of dental radiographs: 1. Quality scale, operator technique, X-ray set.
abstract: There are two papers in this series aiming to put into context quality assurance as applied to dental radiography. 'The Ionising Radiation Regulations' emphasize the need for quality assurance programmes wherever radiography is being undertaken. A quality assurance programme should aim to be written down common sense. This first paper deals with assessment of image quality, faults arising from poor operator technique and exposure factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The object of a quality assurance programme is to minimize the dose to the patient whilst maximizing diagnostic utility.
authors.affiliation: Leeds Dental Institute, UK.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carmichael
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007568:Jaw / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors; D014070:Tooth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging