Overview

European Nuclear Energy Forum

Public consultations

Nuclear Safety

European Governance in nuclear issues

Radioactive Waste

Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations

Radiation Protection

Transport of Radioactive Material

Nuclear Safeguards

EURATOM Supply Agency

Publications and Reports

Legislation

Radiation Protection

|Introduction |Legislation |Verification Issues |Article 31 - Group of Experts |Emergency Preparedness

|Conferences & Meetings |Publications |Studies |Networking |Scientific Seminars

MARTIR Project Multimedia & Audio-visual Radiation Protection Training in Interventional Radiology. Radiation Protection 119 Download the CD-Rom content (282.830 KB)

136: European Guidelines on Radiation Protection in Dental Radiology  (2.620 KB)

The aim of this study is to provide a practical guide to radiation protection for professional groups of dentists and their assistants, based upon the two relevant Council Directives of the European Union:

• Directive 96/29/Euratom, of 13 May 1996, laying down the basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation

• Directive 97/43/Euratom of 30 June 1997, on health protection of individuals against the dangers of ionising radiation in relation to medical exposure (Medical Exposures Directive).

The 1996 Basic Safety Standards Directive mentioned above ensures the protection of workers exposed to ionising radiation, including dentists and their assistants, and of members of the public.

Directive 97/43/Euratom provides for a high level of health protection to ionising radiation in medical exposure. All the measures adopted in the Directive are concerned not only with avoiding unnecessary or excessive exposure to radiation but also with improving the quality and effectiveness of medical uses of radiation.

No exposure to X-rays can be considered completely free of risk, so the use of radiation by dentists and their assistants implies a responsibility to ensure appropriate protection.

In order to help Member States to implement the Directives, the Commission decided to update and extend the technical guidelines in Radiation Protection 81 ( Radiation protection and quality assurance in dental radiology: "The safe use of radiographs in dental practice” (1995)). A contract was awarded to the University of Manchester, UK, to carry out the study “European Guidelines on Radiation Protection in Dental Radiology”.

The project was designed to give clear and comprehensive information on dental radiological practices, taking into account relevant knowledge and available technology, and give guidance on the application of radiation protection principles in dental radiology to all individuals, including the patient and the personnel.

This document provides general guidelines on the safe use of radiographs in dental practice. Guidelines are not a rigid constraint on clinical practice. Local variations may be required according to healthcare practice and provision.