Abstract
The establishment of DRLs for diagnostic radiology studies is a key process in optimizing the radiological protection of patients by allowing comparison, adjustments, and improvements to the protocols established for the same type of study. Despite the variety of recommendations regarding the importance of establishing these DRLs to prevent unnecessary doses to the patient, in Costa Rica, there are no DRL values for a dental practice. The present study seeks to establish preliminary DRLs values for digital intraoral radiological imaging protocols in adult maxillary molars in the fin-bite configuration. The method for determining the DRLs was based on the compilation of the values of the calculated dose (mGy) in quality controls carried out on 93 teams in 85 dental services of the CCSS (Costa Rican Social Security Fund). The statistical method used consisted of obtaining the third quartile of the distribution of the median values of the calculated dose (mGy). The DRL obtained in the study was 1,54 mGy, which is below the value recommended by NCRP 172 of 2012 (1.6 mGy, Ka,e) and is slightly higher than the value recommended by the Michigan Department of Community Health. (MDCH) at NCRP 172 (1,5 mGy, Ka,e). It is recommended to establish a review of the dental services of the CCSS whose dose measurements are greater than 1,54 mGy, to verify if these dental services require corrective actions in the performance of the intraoral X-ray equipment or in the radiological examination protocols.
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Copyright (c) 2023 Oscar Alberto Sáenz Rosales, Fredys Santos Gutiérrez, Lourdes Salvador Hernández, Manuel Gavarrete Chaves