DEA 125
Radiology I
Effects of Radiation Exposure
At the completion of this lesson, the student will with at least 70% accuracy on a written
and/or oral exam and 100% accuracy on a performance evaluation:
1. Define key words
2. Compare the theories of biological damage and the possible effect of radiation
on somatic and genetic cells.
3. Identify the body of cells in the order of their radiosensitivity.
4. Identify the factors that determine radiation injuries.
5. List the sequence of events that may follow exposure to radiation.
6. Identify the three areas in the head and neck that are most affected by
radiation.
7. List the possible short and long term effects of irradiation.
8. Discuss the risk versus benefits of dental radiation therapy.
I. Introduction
A. Radiation has the ability to detach and remove electric
charges from the complex atoms that make up the molecules
of body tissues.
B. This process creates an electrical imbalance within the
normally stable cells. This process is known as ionization.
C. During ionization, the balance of cell structure is altered and
the cell may be damaged or destroyed.
II. Concerns with Potential Radiation Effects
A. Patients are concerned with safety as well as the federal
government
1. 1981—passage of the Consumer-Patient Radiation
Health and Safety Act due to the Three Mile Island
accident.
2. Some concern is warranted but a lot is unsubstantiated.
B. Radiation can occur either naturally or be man-made.
C. Most somatic (body) cells have a recovery rate of 75% w/in
the 1st 24 hrs.
D. The most important thing the operator must consider when
exposing radiation is the quantity and the duration of the
exposure and the body area to be exposed.
E. Radiation exposure is accumulative w/ ea. Exposure
increasing the negative effects
F. Radiation may also alter the genetic material in the
reproductive cells so that mutations may occur
G. There have been no reports of radiation injuries caused
by normal dental radiagraphs.
JD DEA 125 RADIATION EXPOSURE
