Radiation Protection: Cone Beam CT for Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology. Evidence based guidelines. The SEDENTEXCT project.

A set of 20 ‘basic principles’ was developed following collaborative work between the SEDENTEXCT and the European Academy of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology. These principles covered issues relating to justification, equipment, radiation protection, quality assurance, training of personnel and reporting of images.

CBCT examinations must only be carried out following a history and clinical examination, and must be justified for each patient to demonstrate that the benefits outweigh the risks. Equipment should offer a choice of volume sizes and examinations must use the smallest necessary volume to provide the lowest radiation dose to the patient. The resolution compatible with adequate diagnosis and the lowest achievable dose should be used.

Dentists responsible for CBCT facilities should undergo a period of additional theoretical and practical training that has been validated by an academic institution. The design and delivery of CBCT training programmes should involve a dental and maxillofacial radiologist.

CBCT images must undergo a thorough clinical evaluation (radiological report) of the entire image dataset.

The SEDENTEXCT guideline is now officially published as European Guideline: Radiation Protection No. 172.

HPA-CRCE-010- Guidance on the Safe Use of Dental Cone Beam CT

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) Working Party on Dental Cone Beam CT Equipment published the national guidelines in 2010. The aim of this publication was to provide definitive guidance to enable all persons involved with dental CBCT equipment to work with it safely and in accordance with UK radiation protection legislation.

This document discusses the essential actions that must be addressed to ensure compliance with the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000 (IR(ME)R).

Core curriculum in Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) for dentists and dental care professionals.

The curriculum developed by the HPA and the British Society of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology (BSDMFR) identified minimum training requirement for referrers, practitioners and operators (imaging and reporting). The main objective of the training is to ensure that dental personnel are competent to undertake CBCT radiography and radiology to a standard required for general practice.

The European Association for Osseointegration (EAO) guidelines for the use of diagnostic imaging in implant dentistry.

The current (2012) EAO recommendations were published to update the previous 2002 EAO guidelines on the use of diagnostic imaging in implant dentistry. This was predominately due to the significant development of the application of CBCT and the range of surgical and prosthetic applications that can potentially benefit from its use.

3D imaging: the role of cone-beam computed tomography in dentistry: special reference to current guidelines- by Jimmy Makdissi

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a relatively new modality providing 3D imaging that has become more accessible than ever to dental practice. This brings in new challenges that need to be addressed. This article discusses the role of CBCT in dentistry and highlights the availability of current guidelines.
Author: Dr J Makdissi, Clinical Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant, Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry, Turner Street, London E1 2AD