This may blow your mind…or at least get you thinking differently! 
I recently attended a College of Diplomates of the ABPD webinar given by our esteemed colleague Dr. Juan F. Yepes entitled “Yes, believe me, it is time to abandon the lead!!! He presented some very compelling information on why we need to get rid of the LEAD SHIELD when taking dental radiographs. I wanted to bring this information to you to further our knowledge about dental radiography.
According to Dr. Yepes the best ways for Patient Dose Reduction:
Patient selection criteria
1. Follow AAPD/ADA guidelines (2012)
2. Most significant factor influencing the radiation dose per patient after reviewing the patient’s health history and completing the clinical examination
Collimation
1. Utilize rectangular collimation – more effective in reducing the thyroid dose than thyroid shielding with a round collimator
2. A study looking at Child Effective Dose by Modality Dose
Universal round collimator 25 μSv
Tru-Image rectangular collimator 6.3 μSv
3. Hand-held systems have less scattered radiation so they do not need a rectangular collimator
Image receptors and exposure optimization
ALARA principle to minimize radiation exposure
Digital sensors
Shielding
Lead apron and thyroid collar shields do not protect against internal scatter. (Some US hospitals have launched “Abandon the Shield” radiation campaigns)
Dr. Yepes has been working with many other organizations and new Radiography Guidelines will be coming out soon. The lead shielding guideline will be re-evaluated. Public perception of the need for the lead apron to protect them may be one of the biggest barriers to instilling any new recommendations.
Federal, State and Local agencies will need to revise their protocols after the new guidelines are presented.
You can hear our pediatric dental colleague, Dr. Casey Goetz’s podcast interview with Dr. Juan F. Yepes discussing this topic HERE
“Busting Common Radiation Myths in Pediatric Dentistry, with Dr. Juan Yepes Brews and Tiny Teeth, The Unfiltered Pediatric Dentistry Podcast”
#dentistry #pediatricdentistry #practicemanagement #radiology