(17) Quality Assurance in the Dental Office

Special procedures that are used to ensure the production of high-quality diagnostic images

Quality assurance

Specific tests that are used to maintain and monitor dental x-ray units, supplies, film processing, and digital imaging equipment.

Quality control tests

What things have Quality Assurance Plans?

• x-ray machines

• equipment

• digital imaging equipment

What things have Quality Administration Procedures?

• Schedules & logs

• Evaluation & revision plan

• Training

What does the state and local inspections check for when inspecting dental x-ray machines?

• x-ray output

• kV

• half-value layer

• timer

• mA

• collimation

• beam alignment

• tubehead stability

What specific things are checked with offices that use digital imaging?

• x-ray unit

• sensors (direct or indiect)

• Phosphor plates checked for damage

• computers

• wired connections

What needs to be done with computers?

• back-up of digital data daily

• Update and maintenance per manufacturer’s instructions

• Imaging software system updates

Who’s ultimately responsible for overall quality assurance?

Dentists

What may the dentist delegate to office personnel?

• Have a plan and follow it

• Assign duties

• Monitor schedule

• Keep log

• Training

What should you keep in mind when it comes to retakes?

• Continuing education or instruction

• Keep retakes to minimum

• Record total number of exposures for series

• Identify operator errors & problems

After processing, fresh film that has been properly stored and protected will appear:

clear with a slight blue tint

After performing the screen-film contact test, a wire mesh image uniform density appears. These results indicate:

adequate film-screen contact

When functioning properly a viewbox should emit uniform and intense light:

true

One of the most critical areas of quality control that requires daily monitoring is:

processing films

The coin test is used to check _______

proper safelighting

The following must be clearly monitored with manual processing techniques:

all of the above

On the average, processing solutions should be replenished:

once daily

Fresh films and fresh chemicals must be used when preparing reference radiographs:

true

A reference radiograph is used to check __________

strength of the developer solution

The densities seen on the daily image appear lighter than the densities seen on the reference radiograph; this result indicates that ________

either the developer solution is too weak or the developer solution is too cold

The clearing test is used to monitor ___________

fixer strength

Regardless of who actually exposes the patient to radiation, the dentist is ultimately responsible for the diagnostic quality of the images:

true

Calibration of the dental x-ray equipment can be performed by a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant

false

Annual tests for dental x-ray machines can be performed by dentist,, dental hygienist, or dental assistant:

false

For quality control purposes, each new box of unopened film should be tested for film freshness and fogging before it is used

true