title: Evaluation of surface radiation dose to the thyroid gland and the gonads during routine full-mouth intraoral periapical and maxillary occlusal radiography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The quantitative aspects of radiation doses to critical organs can help the dental professionals to take the necessary radiation protective measures as deemed necessary and can help the general public to allay radiation exposure fear in dental radiography, if any. Our study determines the surface radiation dose to thyroid and gonads in full-mouth intraoral periapical (IOPA) and maxillary occlusal radiography.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total number of 120 subjects participated in the study. The surface radiation dose was estimated to the thyroid gland and the gonads in full-mouth IOPA radiography using 10 IOPA (E speed films) and in maxillary occlusal radiography. The measurements were calculated using a digital pocket dosimeter (PD-4507).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average dose at the thyroid gland level during full-mouth intraoral and maxillary occlusal radiography was estimated to be 10.93 mRads (1.093 × 10(-2) mGy) and 0.4 mRads (4.0 × 10(-2) mGy), respectively. The average surface radiation dose at the gonadal region during a full mouth intraoral and maxillary occlusal radiography was estimated to be 1.5 mRads (1.5 × 10(-2) mGy) and 0.15 mRads (1.5 × 10(-3) mGy), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that although the radiation exposure doses to critical organs namely thyroid and gonads is within the safe limits still precautionary measures for these organs are advocated.
authors: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, M.M. College of Dental Sciences and Research, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India.
authors: Soheyl
authors: S
authors: Sheikh
authors: Anil Kumar
authors: AK
authors: Bhoweer
authors: Smriti
authors: S
authors: Arya
authors: Gagandeep
authors: G
authors: Arora