Guidance on the safe use of dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) equipment

Dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a relatively new application in dental imaging that is rapidly being taken up by specialist dental surgeons. The previous guidance on the safe use of dental x-ray equipment does not address CBCT, and the radiation protection measures needed for dental CBCT extend beyond those set down in previous guidance.

Radiation doses to patients and potential doses to employees and other persons arising from the use of dental CBCT, although lower than those from medical CT equipment, can be significantly higher than those from conventional dental x-radiography equipment. This means that additional safeguards for patients, dental practice staff and other persons need to be considered.

Furthermore, it is far more likely that patients will be referred from one practice to another for a CBCT examination than has been the case with conventional dental examinations, involving more complex administrative procedures to meet legal requirements.

The current advice from the HPA is given in the report entitled Guidance on the Safe Use of Dental Cone Beam CT (HPA-CRCE-010). The aim of this publication is provide definitive guidance to enable all persons involved with dental CBCT equipment to work with it safely and in accordance with UK radiation protection legislation.

It supplements the advice given in the the report entitled Recommendations for the Design of X-ray Facilities and the Quality Assurance of Dental Cone Beam CT (Computed Tomography) Systems (HPA-RPD-065) and the interim guidance entitled The Radiation Protection Implications of the Use of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in Dentistry - What You Need to Know (PDF, 56 KB) which is retained here for reference.

Last reviewed: 10 November 2010