Dental

Medical Physics Experts (MPE)

IRS employs a team of highly experienced MPEs, who can help you to fulfil all requirements of the IR(ME)R 2017 regulations, concerned specifically with patient protection.

Many of our MPEs are recognised as Clinical Scientists by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the regulator for standards of professional support to healthcare. All IRS MPEs are recognised by RPA 2000, the UK MPE accrediting body.

IRS can offer consultation and audit in all aspects of implementation and compliance with IR(ME)R regulations in the dental field.

Here are some of the areas we can help:

PLANNING

• Advice on the establishment of equipment inventories and purchase of new equipment,
• Advice relating to the establishment of appropriate IR(ME)R 2017 documentation, i.e. procedures and protocols,
• Help and advice on the effective training of staff.

PREPARATION

• Acceptance testing and routine performance checks of X-Ray imaging equipment,
• Acceptance testing of Intra-oral, OPG and Cone-Beam Dental CT (CBCT) units,
• Advice on the establishment of Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) programmes,
• Education and Training Programmes for your staff, including requirements for Referrers, Practitioners and Operators,
• Establishment of an IR(ME)R 2017 Radiation Protection Folder, including procedures and protocols.

OPERATION

• Advice on the implementation of a suitable Quality Assurance (QA) programme for procedures and processes,
• Audit of your practice’s written procedures for performing X-Ray examinations and review against current practice. This will includes any changes to equipment and associated procedures,
• Assessment of patient dose, the establishment of Dose Reference Levels (DRLs) and comparison against national DRLs,
• Advice relating to the measurement and maintenance of DRLs,
• Optimisation of patient protection, including patient Dosimetry and Quality Assurance (QA).

Equipment Performance Measurements

To support our consultancy/advisory functions, IRS has extensive experience in the provision of equipment performance and environmental monitoring surveys.

Over the past 40 years, IRS staff have played a pioneering role in the development of X-ray equipment performance measurements within the UK, as evidenced by our long history of forefront research and scientific publication. During this period, X-ray equipment has undergone significant technological development. However, IRS continues to provide the most up-to-date service, working closely with Dental practices Nationwide.

We provide acceptance testing and routine performance checks on all X-Ray  imaging equipment encountered in dental practice. This includes:

• Intra-oral digital radiographic systems
• Ortho Pantographic (OPG) units
• Cone Beam CT (CBCT) units
• Handheld X-Ray units

IRS is a recognised training provider and proud holders of the Investors In People (IIP) award. We ensure all our scientific and technical staff are trained to the appropriate National standards. This enables us to deliver comprehensive services to the evolving field of medical imaging.

Personal and Environmental Dosimetry

IRS provides a wide range of personnel and environmental (e.g. X-ray and Radon) radiation monitoring services. These services will help you monitor the effective and equivalent doses received by any of your staff who may be exposed to ionising radiations.

Where background levels of radiation are a consideration (e.g. in a high radon level area), IRS’s dosimetry monitoring services will help employers provide safe working environments for their staff and the general public.

IRS’s dosimetry service is integrated fully with our RPA function. This means that, should you choose IRS as your RPA, we will be fully informed of any untoward dose levels that may occur and can support your practice in dealing with this type of situation immediately. As your RPA, IRS would also offer you comprehensive advice on the most appropriate monitoring regime for your practice.

Dosimeter Technology

IRS provides Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dosemeters, Thermo-Luminescent Dosemeters (TLD) and direct-reading electronic dosimeters, with whole body or extremity monitoring available as required. These latter dosemeters are particularly useful when monitoring staff for a limited period of time, i.e. during pregnancy, or in the event that on-going dose reports may be required.

We can also supply passive radon detection monitors. These monitors utilise passive alpha-track detection technology and can monitor atmospheric radon concentrations in the workplace.

Our flexible and competitively-priced personnel monitoring service can supply monitors to be worn for periods of one, two or three months. Monitors can be supplied continuously, periodically or on a one-off basis. All monitoring services come with the ability to view your dose reports online and are approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

For more information about IRS’s Dosimetry Services or to place an order, please see our Dosimetry Services page.

Education and Training

IRS has over 30 year’s experience in the provision of radiation protection services for both staff and patients to the dental community. This includes support to individual practices, large group practices as well as established dental teaching hospitals. We can offer an extensive wealth of knowledge on the training needs of those staff working with ionising radiation within the dental field.

The use of ionising radiation in dental practice spans a range of imaging modalities, including:

• Intra-oral radiography employing digital imaging,
• OPG and Cephalometric imaging,
• Cone Beam CT scanning with OPG facility.

We are able to ensure that participants on all our courses for dental practitioners are fully informed on the necessary legislative requirements under both the Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR) 2017 and the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 for each and every technique.

For more detailed information on the courses we provide to the dental sector, or to book a place at one of our regular events, please see the Education and Training Courses section of our website.

We employ some of the most experienced radiation protection professionals in the UK, supporting Dentists nationwide. Whether you are an individual practice owner or part of a larger organisation, we can accommodate your needs.

If you currently employ x-rays in your practice(s), are planning an installation, or are interested in reviewing your existing radiation protection arrangements, IRS can meet your requirements.

We employ some of the most experienced radiation protection professionals in the UK, supporting Dentists nationwide. Whether you are an individual practice owner or part of a larger organisation, we can accommodate your needs.

If you currently employ x-rays in your practice(s), are planning an installation, or are interested in reviewing your existing radiation protection arrangements, IRS can meet your requirements.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?

If you employ ionising radiation for the wellbeing of your patients, you must fulfil legal safety requirements, which are covered by the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R 2017). You must also fulfil the requirements of the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR 17), concerned with the safety of your staff and the general public.

• Under Regulation 9 of IR(ME)R 17, an employer must ensure that a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) is involved, as appropriate, in every medical exposure to which the IR(ME)R 17 regulations apply.
• Under Regulation 13 of IRR 17, an employer must consult with a suitable Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA).

IRS’s team of Radiation Protection Advisors and Medical Physics Experts will provide the necessary support and advice to help you fulfil your legal requirements under UK law.