Radiation dose measurements in intraoral and panoramic dental radiography in the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to estimate patient radiation doses for intraoral and panoramic dental radiography in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: For intraoral units, the radiation doses were measured in terms of incident air kerma, Ki, and the detector was placed at 50 cm from the focus point. For panoramic dental radiography, the radiation doses were measured in terms of air Kerma-area product, PKA, using a calibrated CT ionization chamber. Results: For intraoral, the values for the estimated incidence of air kerma, Ki, ranged from 1.25 to 4.61 mGy (average: 2.55 mGy). For panoramic, the values for estimated Kerma-area product, PKA, values ranged from 79.5 to 122.1 mGy.cm2 (average: 99 mGy.cm2) for adults and ranged from 43.3 to 80.2 mGy.cm2 (average: 58.5mGy.cm2) for paediatrics. Conclusion: The study’s outcomes were compared with previous studies from other countries, indicating similar or slightly higher values. These results could serve as baseline data for radiation protection optimization and the development of national diagnostic reference levels in Saudi Arabia.