1. Why IR(ME)R exists and how this series works
This module in the five-year series
Radiography and radiation protection is a GDC highly recommended CPD topic for anyone who takes or reports dental radiographs. PrismCPD delivers the dentist IR(ME)R update as five 1-hour annual modules — 5 hours over 5 years. This is Year 1. It maps to GDC Development Outcomes A, C and D.
Suggested study time
- Why regulation exists and the 5-year update — 18 min
- Duty holders: employer, referrer, practitioner, operator — 20 min
- Written procedures, entitlement and CQC — 17 min
- Knowledge check (MCQ) — 5 min
GDC Development Outcomes
- Outcome A: explaining benefit and risk, and obtaining agreement for an exposure.
- Outcome C (primary): knowledge of law, roles and safe radiography.
- Outcome D: professional behaviours — only exposing patients within a documented, entitled system.
Two different radiation laws
IR(ME)R 2017 (Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations) protects patients and others undergoing exposure as part of their own medical/dental care. It is about justification, optimisation and clinical evaluation.
IRR17 (Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017) protects staff and members of the public from occupational and public exposure. It is about local rules, the Radiation Protection Supervisor, risk assessment and dose limits for workers.
Dentists work under both. Mixing them up in a policy is a common inspection finding.
Why a 5-year update
IR(ME)R requires practitioners and operators to be adequately trained and to keep that training up to date. In primary dental care, a structured 5-year IR(ME)R refresh is the usual way employers show that entitlement is still valid. Completing Years 1–5 is PrismCPD’s 5-hour dentist update. It does not replace practical competency on your own machines.