Dose assessment in dentistry students during their radiological training without phantoms

Introduction
The assessment of equivalent dose (H) and effective dose (E) in Dentistry students during their training in radiology is presented. Dentistry students fulfilled three roles: patient, dentist and observer.

Methods
The study was performed on 35 students with ages between 20 and 24 years. Characterization of risk was done following the US Environmental Protection Agency methodology, counting the number of shots in every role during the training. The measurement of the absorbed dose (D) was performed through thermo-luminescent dosemeters of LiF:Mg,Cu,P+PTFE, developed in the Mexican National Nuclear Research Institute. The homogenization of the dosemeters showed a variation in its response to the radiation of 1.85%SD. For the dentist’s position, the dosemeters were placed at level of the chest and the measurement obtained was multiplied by the number of estimated shots.

Results
The H value was 2.53 mSv in a four-month period without any safety equipment and 1.01 mSv, with safety equipment, diminishing H more than 50 %. In the case of patient’s position, H was assessed in different organs of interest.

Discussion
This study approaches a poorly analyzed dentist’s situation in Mexico which entails high representative person of the public risks. It was found that young radiology students (at reproductive ages) who are legally non occupational exposed population , are all really exposed to ionizing radiation without Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) and no perception of the risk. Results of 2308.7 and 3034.7 mSv of accumulated equivalent doses on the face skin, if compared to the 50 mSv, recommended by ICRP Publication 103 and by the United States National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Publication 145 for dose limit to the public in planned exposure situation, may be considered alarming. Recommendations are mentioned and discussed.