Hand-Held X-Ray Dental Radiology Device
Introduction
The immense design and development of digital electronic devices have revolutionized the world today, and this has led to the shift in operations from the analog system to digital. The revolution has increased the invention of various devices in the medical sector, and one such device is the hand-held X-rays (Mahdian et al. 2014). The most critical stage of the modern dental examination is the imaging stage, which is conducted radiographically. The radiographic diagnosis has got great significance, which outweighs the risks involved with it. However, the development has introduced new many problems for both patients and the dentists. The purpose of this informative paper is to examine and propose a safety standard for designing and construction of the hand-held dental x-ray device and to outline guidance on the practical application of the equipment by dental practitioners during the intraoral radiography. More attention is also drawn to the health requirements towards the usage of the device as the dentists shall be required to consider the health hazards apart from the ionizing radiation. The paper also explains the specific scenarios where the portable hand-held x-ray is used (McGiff et al. 2012).
Background
The original hand-held dental x-ray device dates in the 20th century, which were invented with the intention to be used in the military department. Recently, there has been an increase in the marketing of the hand-held dental X-ray to be used in the general dental sector for intraoral radiography (Mahdian et al. 2014). Since hand-held dental x-ray was introduced, some other invaluable types of equipment have been invented, which doesn’t have proper safety measures, thereby failing to meet U.S medical standards. The new battery-operated hand-held dentist x-ray has undergone tests to identify the possible leakage of the radiation through the thick heavy metals which exist around the X-ray tube and exposure of the patient (Zhou & Lu, 2005). Therefore the hand dental x-ray was introduced to help in diagnosis and treatment or just in monitoring the health of the teeth through the use of the ionizing radiation in producing the detailed images of the internal teeth structure.
Guidance on the safety measures on the use of hand 9dental x-ray equipment
A dentist who considers buying hand-held dental x-ray equipment should have confidence that the machine will be suitable for every diagnosis task (McGiff et al. 2012). Clinical suitability and efficacy of the device is considered when choosing a useful hand-held dental x-ray for purchase and use. The factors to be considered are; the extent to which the movement of the operator may possess the quality of image during the exposure, radiographic view restrictions in the effort to maintain the x-ray beam, and the practicality in the use of the image receptor. The hand-held x-ray must also be sufficient when used in a free uncontrolled environment (Mahdian et al. 2014).
The hand-held dental x-ray equipment should be used in a situation where it is very impractical to move the patient to a mounted X-ray, which is a fixed installation, and the use of the mobile machines are not applicable (Zhou & Lu, 2005). The impractical places may be in the operation theatres, whereby the patient is under anesthesia, emergency rooms, and in the residential care facilities. In addition, it can also be used in detention centers facilities where patients may be confined with no freedom to movements.
The American dental association stated the specific laws and regulations for the usage of the hand-held dental x-ray. The safety and protection program provided the requirements for personnel supervision, certification training, office designing to aid radiation shielding, and the use of the badges of dosimetry (Mahdian et al. 2014). There should also be the provision of the training services for the dental facility personnel to avoid the risks of exposure to the radiation in the office settings. The research shows that occupational exposure to radiations limits to 50mSv per year, and the lifetime dose is limited to 10mSv (McGiff et al. 2012).
A hand-held dental x-ray provides portability in the x-ray technology, which offers additional features that provide cordless operation. The device has got a rechargeable battery pack that provides 100-700 exposures within a charge. The gadget has an internal lead shield and an external backscatter. The hand-held dental x-ray uses direct current, which operates 60kV, and the high voltage power has a high-frequency unit, which reduces the amount of dose to the patient. The device which limits the beam is lined up with Pb while the lead-lined cone absorbs backscattered radiation. The innovative internal shield makes the hand-held x-ray device to be safer to use. The radiation leakage is further blocked by the x-ray tube enclosed in the proprietary (Zhou & Lu, 2005).
Radiation control on the patient and operator
The most considered factor during the radiographic process, which involves live patients, is based on the reduction of the patient as they achieve diagnostic objectives. This factor helps in maintaining safety in the operating region. High frequency reduces the dose to the patient by1/3 in each image because the system optimizes the sensors at 60Kv while the small radiation area reduces Xray dose on the patients by 25% (McGiff et al. 2012).
The operators should always wear protective equipment while using the hand-held dental x-ray so that they can be protected from the backscatter radiation (Mahdian et al. 2014). The x-ray device should also be operated by a trained specialized in the controlled setting. During the x-ray process, the patient should be the only person to get exposed to the radiation. The ancillary personnel should also maintain a distance of three meters away to avoid any necessary exposure. The ancillary should further stay out of the direct beam in a case where the specialist is closer to the x-ray device (McGiff et al., .2012).
Benefits And Risks of Using Hand Held Dental X-Ray
The first advantage of the equipment is that it is portable; hence it can be moved from one operator to another anytime the need arises (Mahdian et al. 2014). Therefore it conveniences the patients as there’re will be minimal movement and thus saves time. The second benefit is that it provides high levels of safety due to its compact nature, which is very important to the staff. Lastly, it provides a high quality of the images, which enhances a more straightforward diagnosis and reduces human error (Zhou & Lu, 2005).
The risk which is associated with the use of the equipment is that the radiofrequency, which is used to produce the X-rays, may expose the patient or the dentist at severe problems as it may cause cell damages. The frequency can also disturb the operating machine if handled by unskilled personnel (Mahdian et al. 2014)l.
Conclusion
The hand-held dental x-ray makes it easy for the dentists to set and use. It meets the standards and regulations for safety as it has the potential to be used in humanitarian missions and home nursing setting. The convenience caused by this device is very vital to both the patient and the dentist
Reference
McGiff, T. J., Danforth, R. A., & Herschaft, E. E. (2012). Maintaining radiation exposures as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) for dental personnel operating portable hand-held x-ray equipment. Health physics, 103(2), S179-S185.
Zhou, O. Z., & Lu, J. (2005). U.S. Patent No. 6,850,595. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Mahdian, M., Pakchoian, A. J., Dagdeviren, D., Alzahrani, A., Jalali, E., Tadinada, A., & Lurie, A. (2014). Using hand-held dental x-ray devices: ensuring safety for patients and operators. Journal of the American Dental Association (1939), 145(11), 1130-1132.