Dental Services
Dental Practices are required to appoint a Radiation Protection Adviser and a Medical Physics Expert. SG&A can act in both these capacities for you.
The advice is given under the provisions of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017, HSE Approved Code of Practice and associated Guidance, and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2017. It will also cover requirements and good practice contained in other relevant legislation and professional body recommendations e.g. 2020 Dental Guidance Notes.
With SG&A, all dental practices have a site visit by one of the RPA team:
Annually for the first two years and thereafter biennially to
- Assess and audit radiation protection documentation.
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Carry out a full assessment of the x-ray unit/s and surgery/imaging rooms.
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Undertake appropriate shielding checks / dose rate surveys.
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Record and advise on diagnostic reference levels.
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Provide a comprehensive report with advice and recommendations for enhancing your regulatory compliance.
In an interim year, an audit questionnaire is sent to the practice for completion. Once returned the audit is assessed by an RPA to provide an interim report.
Our service is a working consistent partnership with our clients. We help you by
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Inspecting the plans for you when you are planning a new room or practice.
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Being available for questions throughout the build and development.
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Completing the Critical examination and Acceptance Testing following the installation.
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Providing annual radiation protection advice as above.
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Providing a bespoke Radiation Protection File on request.
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Availability to talk to an RPA throughout your term of appointment for any queries, issues and emergencies with 24 hour on-call emergency availability.
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Training – relevant RPS and cpd courses for the whole dental team.
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Dosimetry advice (and we can offer the provision of Mirion dosimeters).
*Please note: Legislative requirements dictate that practices with CBCT and/or handheld equipment may need to be assessed on an annual basis.
Our comprehensive report advises, assists and makes recommendations regarding:
- risk assessments
- designation of areas
- radiation protection documentation including local rules
- quality assurance – reports and audits
- training requirements
- dosimetry
- appropriate monitoring
Our provisions also include:
- An annual RPA certificate
- 24-hour
on call emergency availability - Updates on relevant legislative changes
Radiation Protection File
This needs to be a bespoke document for your specific practice. We can provide this for you on request. The Radiation Protection Files include;
- Instructions how to keep this information up to date
- Radiation risk assessments
- Local rules and Employers Procedures with room specific local rules and plan drawings
- Quality assurance programs
- Training section
- Equipment information and inventory
Training
Dentists, hygienists, and dental nurses are required to complete a minimum of 5hrs CPD in radiology and radiation protection in their 5yearly re-certification cycle to meet the requirements of IRR17 Regulations 15 & 18, as well as well as complying with IR(ME)R 17 Regulation 11 & Schedule 2.
To be adequately and appropriately trained to take on the role of a Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) in a practice this CPD will need to meet the requirements of IRR17 Regulations 15 & 18.
SG&A are able to provide both initial RPS and ongoing CPD training for the whole dental team either at our facilities in Norfolk, through an interactive Teams online course or at other outside venues.
Dosimetry
Personal doses to staff are required to be measured to confirm all appropriate radiation protection measures are, and remain, in place at a practice. The simplest way of achieving the necessary evidence is by the provision of personal dose meters to relevant dental team members for limited periods. Once confirmed this dosimetry can (if the employer decides) be discontinued and then re-instituted following changes at the practice (e.g. the addition of further x-ray facilities) or for the reassurance to pregnant members of staff.
Inspection of Plans
Planning to expand or set up a new practice? Under IRR17 Schedule 4: Regulation 14 (1) (2), an RPA must be consulted to undertake a prior examination of plans. Following inspection of the plans SG&A produce a report to provide recommendations to keep doses As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) to staff, the patient and the public, while ensuring compliance with legislation, appropriate shielding and the ability to follow good working practices in the room.
Critical Examination and Acceptance Tests (CEAT)
This is required when a unit is first installed, or moved, or if a major component part is replaced e.g. tube head or timer. It is the installers responsibility to ensure that the critical examination part is completed. It is the employers (the practice owners) responsibility to ensure that the acceptance testing is completed. In practice these are usually completed at the same time and can be done either by the installers or the practices RPA / MPE.
If you require any advice concerning any of the above, please either complete our contact page or call the office on 01362 822066