Regular Evaluation of Radiation Exposure Among Dental Personnel at Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria.

Abstract

The evaluation of occupational exposure to external ionizing radiation in diagnostic and therapeutic applications is essential for understanding regulatory compliance and technological progress. This research presents an analysis of occupational radiation exposure in the Dental department of Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto, comparing it with relevant studies. A total of 14 TLDS were collected from the Dental unit, each assigned a TLD code instead of worker names. Parameters, including Average Annual Effective Dose (AAED), Annual Collective Dose (ACD), and Probability of Cancer Lifetime Risks (LFTR), were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Dental workers showed an AAED of 0.76 ± 0.61 mSv and an ACD of 1064 ± 0.61 man mSv. 91.89% of Dental workers received doses exceeding 1 mSv, while none exceeded 10 and 15 mSv. The LFTR for all medical radiation workers at UDUTH was less than 1mil, suggesting low cancer lifetime risks. Overall, the dose distribution trend indicates a move towards lower levels, emphasizing the maintenance of adequate radiation protection protocols by the majority of the workers.