The x-ray equipment on the premises is regularly checked to ensure that it is performing in accordance with HPA (Health Protection Agency - Radiation Protection Division) guidelines.  Lead shielding is also built into the walls of the building, where necessary.  This should ensure that nobody is exposed to more than a minimal level of radiation.

However, x-ray units such as the ones at the practice only need to be checked once every three years.  We felt it wise to introduce personal dosemeters, which are checked every three months, so that everyone could be confident that they were safe from excessive levels of radiation in their working environment. To date, none of the radiation dosemeters has produced any significant reading at all.   In other words, no-one working at the practice over the last 9 years has received any more than normal background radiation.

The practice is obliged to provide personal dosemeters to individual clinical personnel who regularly take more than 100 intra-oral x-rays each week.  No individual at the practice regularly takes that many x-rays (or is present while they are taken) in a single week.  Nonetheless, we consider the use of personal dosemeters to be an important part of our health and safety regime and so all clinical personnel are required to wear them.

To ensure that the dosemeters work properly and record useful data, all clinical team members must follow the procedures set out below:

a) You must wear your dosemeter at all times when at work.

b) Dosemeters must not be taken outside the building (nb: it is acceptable to wear them outside for very short periods such as when you go to the wheelie bins, but you must leave them behind if you go out for lunch, for example).

c) When you leave work, your dosemeter must be left at the practice – even if you are just going out for lunch or to an appointment.  Put it on again when you return.

d) If you accidentally take your dosemeter away from work, you must record that fact in the “DOSEMETER INCIDENT RECORD” – a thin blue book that is kept in the reception desk.  Remember to write down your name, the date and times and a description of where you went.

e) You must also enter any other relevant incidents in the “DOSEMETER INCIDENT RECORD” – e.g.: if you drop your dosemeter into a chemical solution or leave it in the surgery when you are on holiday (this is important because the dosemeter may then be repeatedly exposed to higher radiation doses than you would normally receive and give an incorrect reading).

f) Dosemeters are very expensive to replace – take care not to lose or damage them.

g) Wear your dosemeter at waist level (on the trunk of your body).

h) You can attach your dosemeter to your uniform using the plastic strap and clip supplied or you may instead use a safety pin.

It is the responsibility of the RPS (Joanne Giddy) to review the results of the monitoring system.

If it appears that doses have significantly increased in relation to any member of the team, the RPS (Joanne Giddy) must consult the RPA and consider whether that team member needs to be designated as a classified person for the purposes of the regulations.  The RPS (Joanne Giddy) must also consider whether any changes to working practices are required.

pregnancy - clinical personnel
All clinical personnel must inform the RPS (Joanne Giddy) as soon as they become aware that they are pregnant.  This is because working with ionising radiation carries certain risks for a developing fetus.  Compliance with these local rules should normally mean that no special precautions are necessary.  However, the RPS (Joanne Giddy) will consult the RPA/MPE and, if required, implement changes to working practices for the pregnant team member to ensure that the dose to the fetus of any member of staff is unlikely to exceed 1mSv during the declared term of pregnancy.