Key Points
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Almost all dentists satisfy guidelines on servicing and radiation survey of panoramic x-ray equipment.
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A substantial proportion of dentists carry out routine panoramic radiography of new adult patients, a practice in conflict with guidelines.
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A substantial proportion of dentists use unqualified staff to take panoramic radiographs, also in conflict with guidelines.
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There are important implications in these findings for educators and those who set clinical standards.
Abstract
Objectives To gather information on the types of panoramic x-ray equipment used in NHS dental practice and whether dentists satisfy the legal requirements for safety, to determine which practice personnel take panoramic radiographs and to assess the prevalence of the practice of 'routine' panoramic radiography among NHS dentists.
Design Postal questionnaire survey of general dental practitioners carried out during 1997 in selected FHSAs in England and Wales.
Results 542 dentists returned the questionnaire, a 73.3% response. Panoramic x-ray equipment ranged in age from 27 years old to new, with 42.2% exceeding 10 years in age. The overwhelming majority of GDPs satisfied the requirement for regular maintenance and surveying of equipment. Almost all dentists (95.9%) performed a history and clinical examination prior to panoramic radiography but 42% practised 'routine screening' of new adult patients. A substantial proportion (36.7%) of dentists used unqualified personnel to take panoramic radiographs.
Conclusions While some aspects of this study give reassurance about the prevalence of good practice, widespread panoramic screening and using unqualified staff to take radiographs causes concern. These findings have implications for educators and for those involved in maintaining clinical standards.
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References
NRPB. Guidelines on radiology standards for primary dental care. DOC NRPB 5 No. 3, 1994.
NRPB. Guidelines on patient dose to promote optimisation of protection for diagnostic medical exposures. Doc NRPB 10 No. 1, 1999.
Marshall K . Records and radiographs: the essential tool for quality assurance in primary dental care. Editorial. Dentomaxillofac Radiol 1997; 26: 77–78.
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Hirschmann, P. Panoramic radiology — a postal survey of GDPs. Br Dent J 186, 340 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4800105a1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4800105a1
