Ionizing radiation regulations and the dental practitioner: 2. regulations for the use of x-rays in dentistry

Since the early part of the 20th century, X-rays have been recognized as potentially harmful. The International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP) was set up to give guidance on how people who use and receive radiation might do so safely.

There are three basic principles of good radiation protection practice:

In 1999, legislation regarding the use of radiation and radiation protection changed, with the introduction of The Ionizing Radiation Regulations (IRR) 1999 and also, a year later, with The Ionizing Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000, which replaced IRR 1985 regulations, and IR(POPUMET)R 1988 regulations, respectively.1,2 This article reviews the aims and essential requirements of these two pieces of legislation as they affect dentists and the use of X-radiation in a general dental practice setting in the United Kingdom.

The two Acts, although showing some common themes, approach the subject of radiation protection from differing standpoints; IRR 1999 primarily implements radiation protection for workers exposed to radiation, while the IR(ME)R 2000 legislation is designed to protect patients from excess exposure to radiation during treatment. The two sets of legislation are monitored by two different bodies: IRR 1999 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and IR(ME)R 2000 by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A useful summary of how the legislation affects dentists can be found in guidance published by the former National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) which is now part of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and Department of Health, in June 2001, entitled Guidance Notes for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment.3 This was sent to all dentists on the GDC register at that time, and is freely available on the HPA website under http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947310610. It is recommended that each dental practice has a copy of this guidance available for reference. It is an invaluable reference for help with implementing both sets of regulations.