www.sbdmj.com - Stomatologija - Baltic Dental and Maxillofacial Journal

Summary

Occupational exposure to radiation for dentists can occur as result of work with dental X-ray equipment. Since 1995 a part of dentists started to work with dental X-ray equipment in Lithuania. Individual dosimetry is performed in order to control occupational exposure and it shows the number of dentists working with dental X-ray equipment. The aim of study was to analyze number of dentists working with dental X-ray equipment and status of individual dosimetry for dentists in Lithuania in 1996 - 2001.

The ratio dentists working with dental X-ray equipment from all dentists was found. The measurements of doses for dentists were performed in Subdivision of Individual Dosimetry of Radiation Protection Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania. The “Rados” thermoluminescent dosimetry system (Finland) was used. Each dentist who was working with dental X-ray equipment got an individual dosimeter with personal number. The dose measurement period was once in three months. The operational dose quantities used for external exposure were the personal dose equivalent Hp (10), where minimum registered dose was 0.01mSv. Detailed analysis of individual doses received by dentists was performed.

The number of dentists working with dental X-ray equipment increased from 68 to 237 since 1996 to 2001. The ratio of dentists working with X-ray equipment from all dentists increased from 3.98 % to 9.07 %. A majority of dentists did not receive occupational annual recording level (1.00 mSv). The highest individual occupational annual dose for dentist was 2.7 mSv. The highest average occupational annual dose for dentists was 1.16 in 1997 and the lowest was 0.74 mSv in 1996.

In conclusion, there is small number of dentists working with dental X-ray equipment and it increased slowly in Lithuania. The annual effective doses of dentists in Lithuania in 1996 to 2001 are not exceeding approved dose limits for radiation workers.

Key words: exposure, individual dosimetry, thermoluminescent dosimeter, dentist

Address correspondence to Dr.Deimante Ivanauskaite, Institute of Stomatology Vilnius University, Zalgirio str. 115, 2042 Vilnius, Lithuania. E-mail: deimantei@one.lt

Received: 10 09 2003

Accepted for publishing: 27 11 2003



	Baltic Dental and Maxillofacial Journal

2003, Vol. 5, No. 4 CONTENTS CLINICAL ARTICLES Restorative Factors that Affect the Biomechanics of the Dental Implant SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES The Influence of Sodium Fluoride on Chemiluminescence of Neutrophilic Leukocytes Evaluation of Dental Health of Dental Students at Kaunas University of Medicine Bone Mineral Density and Radiographic Mandibular Body Height An in vitro study of the Sealing Ability of Materials Used for Furcation Perforation Treatment Factors influencing the health of periodontal tissue and intensity of dental caries Status of Individual Dosimetry for Dentists in Lithuania in year 1996-2001 CASE REPORTS An Atraumatic Technique for Fabricating Precise Impressions © 2004 Stomatologija		Stomatologija 2003; 5 (4): 149-51 163 KB Status of Individual Dosimetry for Dentists in Lithuania in year 1996-2001 Deimante Ivanauskaite, Birute Griciene Summary Occupational exposure to radiation for dentists can occur as result of work with dental X-ray equipment. Since 1995 a part of dentists started to work with dental X-ray equipment in Lithuania. Individual dosimetry is performed in order to control occupational exposure and it shows the number of dentists working with dental X-ray equipment. The aim of study was to analyze number of dentists working with dental X-ray equipment and status of individual dosimetry for dentists in Lithuania in 1996 - 2001. The ratio dentists working with dental X-ray equipment from all dentists was found. The measurements of doses for dentists were performed in Subdivision of Individual Dosimetry of Radiation Protection Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania. The “Rados” thermoluminescent dosimetry system (Finland) was used. Each dentist who was working with dental X-ray equipment got an individual dosimeter with personal number. The dose measurement period was once in three months. The operational dose quantities used for external exposure were the personal dose equivalent Hp (10), where minimum registered dose was 0.01mSv. Detailed analysis of individual doses received by dentists was performed. The number of dentists working with dental X-ray equipment increased from 68 to 237 since 1996 to 2001. The ratio of dentists working with X-ray equipment from all dentists increased from 3.98 % to 9.07 %. A majority of dentists did not receive occupational annual recording level (1.00 mSv). The highest individual occupational annual dose for dentist was 2.7 mSv. The highest average occupational annual dose for dentists was 1.16 in 1997 and the lowest was 0.74 mSv in 1996. In conclusion, there is small number of dentists working with dental X-ray equipment and it increased slowly in Lithuania. The annual effective doses of dentists in Lithuania in 1996 to 2001 are not exceeding approved dose limits for radiation workers. Key words: exposure, individual dosimetry, thermoluminescent dosimeter, dentist Address correspondence to Dr.Deimante Ivanauskaite, Institute of Stomatology Vilnius University, Zalgirio str. 115, 2042 Vilnius, Lithuania. E-mail: deimantei@one.lt Received: 10 09 2003 Accepted for publishing: 27 11 2003