Assessment of Radiation Exposure of Head and Neck during Panoramic Radiography in Different Age Groups

Abstract

Background and aim: Panoramic imaging is one of the most commonly used imaging techniques in dentistry. Being able to accurately assess the radiation dose patients receive during procedures is a crucial step in the management of dose. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the head and neck skin absorbed dose during panoramic radiography in different age groups with panoramic machine of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology section of Babol school of dentistry. Materials and methods: 273 thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs) (100 LiF: Mg, Ti , harshaw, USA) were used.90 samples were selected from the patients who referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology section of Babol school of dentistry for panoramic radiography. .Samples divided in 3 age_ group: 4_ 10 years, 10_40 years and above 40 years . TLDs were calibrated in dosimetry laboratory, National Radiation Protection Department. Thermoluminescent signal was read out with a Harshaw 4500 (Harshaw, Bicron USA) reader. Mean and standard deviation was determined by SPSS10 software and ANOVA statistic analysis. Results: Mean ± SD of skin absorbed dose of head and neck for 90 patients was 0.47± 0.09mGy. Conclusions: Since Diagnostic Reference level (DRL) of panoramic imaging is unknown in Iran, there is no possibility to compare the current results with DRL. However, This study conclude that decrease of radiation dose seems to be achievable with lower exposure condition with the panoramic unit.