1. Children and pregnancy

Year 4 of 5

This module is 1 hour of the dentist IR(ME)R update (5 hours over 5 years). It maps to GDC outcomes A, C and D.

Children

Younger patients are more radiosensitive and have more years ahead for any stochastic risk to express. Justify more tightly. Use paediatric or reduced-dose programmes where the equipment provides them. Rectangular collimation and holders still apply. Do not take “full mouth” surveys as a default new-patient package.

Pregnancy — patients

Ask about pregnancy (and possibility of pregnancy) where relevant, in line with your procedures. Dental intra-oral and panoramic doses to the uterus are extremely low when technique is correct. Do not refuse a justified radiograph solely because the patient is pregnant — delay can harm care (for example acute infection, trauma). Explain that the baby’s dose from a dental intra-oral with rectangular collimation is negligible compared with everyday background radiation, using language they can use. Follow current UKHSA advice on whether a lead apron adds anything; many current protocols do not use routine fetal shielding for dental intra-orals.

Document the discussion and the justification.