European survey of dental X-ray equipment

Abstract

The implementation of an X-ray Quality Assurance (QA) program is a legal requirement in Europe as stipulated in the EU Council Directive 97/43/EURATOM (MED). A review of the literature has identified that European countries are performing some level of QA testing of their dental X-ray equipment, although the type and level to which testing is performed can differ. The European SENTINEL co-ordination action proposed to collate a survey of equipment data for both conventional and digital dental X-ray installations among the SENTINEL partners. The European QA results confirm that systems can be operated below tolerance, and in some cases significantly so, while still in clinical use. This can occur despite servicing of equipment. The results have emphasised the fact that there is a requirement for the medical physics/engineering professions to become more closely involved in the management of dental radiology equipment. This also includes their involvement in the development and delivery of appropriate training courses for dentists and suppliers of dental radiology equipment.

A questionnaire study to derive information on the working environment, clinical training, use of ancillary staff and optimization of patient radiation dose within UK dental practice

“…Similar findings have been reported previously both in the United Kingdom (Tugnait et al. 2003) and mainland Europe (Gallager et al. 2008).…”

“…Additionally, the present study recorded that the use of rectangular collimation was more prevalent amongst younger practitioners. In continental Europe, a recent study (Gallager et al. 2008) found that circular collimators appear to be the routine.…”

“…2006). Conversely, in 2008, a study conducted in 16 European Union countries found that digital radiography was installed in only 15% of all practices representing a more limited adoption of the technique (Gallager et al. 2008).…”

“…2008). Gallager et al. (2008) reported that that in six unnamed European Union countries, D and E speed were being used preferentially by clinicians.…”

Vergleichende Analyse zur Diagnostik von Sekundärkaries mittels intraoraler Röntgenaufnahmen bei abweichender Zentralstrahlangulation

“…Die Notwendigkeit der systematischen Einarbeitung von Mitarbeitern und der Kenntnisstand aller Beteiligten an der Anfertigung eines Röntgenbildes ist somit ein entscheidendes Qualitätsmerkmal (Geibel 2010). In einer Veröffentli-chung zur europäischen Röntgenausstattung wird auch darauf aufmerksam gemacht, dass Schulungen und Fortbildungen unerlässlich im Umgang mit den Geräten und des Equipments sind (Gallagher et al 2008).…”