ORE Part 1 Radiology & Radiation Protection

Question 1

What legislation governs radiation protection in the UK dental environment?

Accepted Answer

Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) and Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R 2017)

Answer

UK dental radiation is governed by IRR17 (protecting workers and the public) and IR(ME)R 2017 (governing medical exposures of patients). Both must be complied with simultaneously in any dental radiographic practice.

Question 2

What does ALARP mean in radiation protection?

Accepted Answer

As Low As Reasonably Practicable — exposures must be kept as low as reasonably achievable while still providing diagnostic benefit

Answer

ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) is the fundamental principle of radiation protection. Doses must be reduced to the lowest level that still provides adequate diagnostic information, weighing benefit against risk.

Question 3

What is the role of the 'referral criteria' in dental radiography?

Accepted Answer

Evidence-based guidelines (e.g., FGDP Selection Criteria for Dental Radiography) that ensure X-rays are only taken when clinical benefit justifies the radiation risk — not as routine

Answer

Referral criteria (selection criteria) ensure radiographs are only prescribed when clinical information gained will positively influence patient management. Routine radiographs without clinical justification are unjustified exposures.

Question 4

What radiation detector is worn by dental radiographers for personal dose monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) badge or electronic personal dosimeter (EPD)

Answer

Classified workers (those whose annual dose may exceed 3/10 of dose limits) wear TLD badges or EPDs for personal dose monitoring. These track cumulative exposure and must be reviewed regularly.

Question 5

What is the effective dose from a full mouth periapical series of radiographs (approximately)?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 30–100 µSv (microsieverts) depending on technique and equipment

Answer

A full periapical series delivers approximately 30–100 µSv effective dose, roughly equivalent to a few days of natural background radiation. Individual periapicals are approximately 1–8 µSv each.

ORE Part 1 Practice Test

ORE Part 1 Practice Test

ORE Part 1 Radiology & Radiation Protection