title: Rating the extent of surface scratches on photostimulable storage phosphor plates in a dental school environment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were (1) to subjectively quantify the degree of scratching and smudging that had taken place in the junior clinic in the 9 months following the implementation of digital radiology; (2) to compare the findings with a previously published report; and (3) to identify areas in the protocol and training that can be refined to minimize future scratching and smudging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven sets of blank clinical photostimulable storage phosphor (PSP) plates were scanned after exposing them at 65 kV and 7 mA for 0.80 s. Scanned plates were lightly wiped with a soft cloth and alcohol, repackaged in plastic sleeves, re-exposed and rescanned. The two sets of resulting images were subjectively rated independently by two investigators for artefacts and placed in five categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all the images, approximately 75% were rated in the top 3 categories (most readable), leaving 17% and 8% in the poor and unsatisfactory categories, respectively. Mean rated values of the two image sets (before and after wiping) were not statistically different, but ratings slightly improved after cleaning the plates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wiping all plates to remove surface contamination may not always be necessary or desirable. Systems that are designed to minimize handling of the plates may help minimize scratching of them.
authors.affiliation: Oral Diagnosis and Patient Services, School of Dentistry, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia 30912-1241, USA. skalathingal@mail.mcg.edu
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kalathingal
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shrout
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Comer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brady
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D004868:Equipment Failure; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D006801:Humans; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012575:Schools, Dental; D013499:Surface Properties; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens