OPTIMIZATION NEED OF DENTAL RADIODIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - RESULTS OF EFFECTIVE DOSE EVALUATION FROM RANDO PHANTOM MEASUREMENTS

Radiological examinations of different types are needed in dental prac tice both to make a correct diagnosis and to carry out, consequently, an adequate therapy. Particularly in orthodontic practices. because of the youth of the majority of the patients, an assessment of the detri ment to health (through the effective dose evaluation) caused by medic al diagnostic exposure to ionising radiation is needed to make decisio ns about the optimisation of dental radiodiagnostic procedures. Experi mental data from measurements on a Rando phantom were collected for th e radiological examinations required for dental and for orthodontic pr actices (with and without protective apron and collar). The results sh ow the effectiveness of the leaded apron and collar in all the examina tions carried out, particularly in reducing thyroid dose.