Digital intraoral radiographic quality assurance and control in private practice.

At present, the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Oral Maxillofacial Radiology have guidelines for the dental environment that include quality assurance and control of film-based radiography. Approximately 19%-30% of US dental offices currently use some form of digital intraoral radiography, and growth is expected to continue. It is anticipated that new tools and guidelines will be needed to aid in the development of quality assurance (QA) and control of digital intraoral radiographic images. Working with a representative sample of private practice dental offices, this study examined and evaluated the entire digital intraoral radiographic system used in each operatory. The X-ray machine was tested for equipment performance and accuracy, and the computer monitor calibration was evaluated and adjusted as needed. The results confirm the continued need for updated QA procedures in the dental office that include digital X-ray imaging. By implementing these changes and practices, dentists should be able to improve the diagnostic quality of radiographs while reducing the radiation exposure of the patient.