Development of radiation protection in intraoral dental radiography during the years 2002 -2005 - analysis of postal audits results

Results of performed audits have shown that the main problems in the dental radiology are connected with incorrect film processing and non-optimized setting of exposure parameters. Currently , the use of old X-ray machines represents a minor problem, because of their massive replacement. In 2005, 50 % of properly performed audits were satisfactory in all checked parameters. Although diagnostic reference level (DRL) was exceeded in 9 % of the cases in the year 2005, almost 50 % of the workplaces showed problems with a correct and optimized setting of the exposure parameters according to film sensitivity and with film processing. Quality of the whole imaging process depends mainly on the approach of dentists; any significant improvement in this field can not be expected at the moment, as discussed previously . References (authors)