title: Evaluation of X-ray Protection Methods Used in Dental Offices in Tabriz in 2005-2006.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate x-ray protection methods in dental offices in Tabriz.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study 142 dental offices were evaluated. A questionnaire-based method was used. The data was analyzed by descriptive methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The least commonly used methods were leaded walls (4.9%) and film badges (16.9%) and the most commonly used methods were lead partitions (67.6%) and position-distance rule (68.3%). The most commonly used patient protection devices were E-speed films (84.5%) and long collimators (66.2%). The least commonly used methods, in this respect, were automatic processors (2.1%) and rectangular collimators (0%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regarding protection methods for the patient, results did not conform to international standards. Mostly, manual processing was used, resulting in extra radiation dose to patients. The methods which reduce the received dose of patients were disregarded in offices compared to educational centers, necessitating optimization of educational programs in these fields.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kaviani
authors.forename: Farzad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Esmaeili
authors.forename: Esrafil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Balayi
authors.forename: Nahid
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pourfattollah
keywords: Dental office; film badge; lead partition; protection; x-ray