Checklist – Local rules
Dental radiography and radiology is carried out in accordance with two sets of regulations:
the Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR99), which relate principally to the protection of workers and
the public, but also address the equipment aspects of patient protection
the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000 (IR9ME) R2000, which relate to patient
protection.
The local rules are thus a set of rules and protocols for the practice which help you follow these
regulations in dentistry. They are intended to identify the key working instructions to ensure that
exposure to staff is restricted. Ideally the following information should be included in the local rules:
Action
Have the local rules been displayed near each
X-ray machine in the practice? This should
ideally have details of the model, manufacture,
serial numbers, installation date, operating
potential, beam filtration, beam profile, focal
spot to skin distance, optimum dosing for
images and the patient skin doses.
Are the practice details stated for which the
local rules apply?
Is the name of an appointed radiation
protection adviser (RPA) and/or the medical
physics expert (MPE) displayed near the X-ray
machine, together with the company name,
address and telephone number and certificate
details?
Is the named legal person (usually the
practice principal/employer) given, and their
details?
Is the name of the appointed radiation
protection supervisor (RPS) in the practice
given, to ensure that all employees observe
the local rules and comply with the
regulations?
Is the X-ray equipment only operated by
qualified persons?
Have people who operate the X-ray
equipment received adequate training and
instructions?
Is a list of qualified operators displayed?
Have you identified the control area for each
X-ray set, for when the equipment is in use?
This will include the primary beam until it has
been sufficiently attenuated by distance or
absorbed by material. It will also include a 1.5
meter diameter area in any direction of the Xray tube head and the patient.
Are details displayed of restricted access to
the control area from unauthorised personnel?
Are there control measures to ensure that no
one other than the patient is allowed in the
controlled area during exposure?
Are operators at a safe distance outside of the
controlled area when using the X-ray
machine?
Are working instructions displayed, including:
 Only trained persons are allowed to
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Yes/No
Comments
operate the X-ray machines.
During intra-oral radiography, the aim
of the primary beam is never to be
directed towards an unshielded
partition wall, door or ground window.
The
X-ray machine must be switched

off at the mains when not in use.
 The operator must ensure that no one
except the patient enters the
controlled area during radiography.
 The operator must ensure that the Xray warning lights up during exposure
and stops after.
Is there a Dose investigation level to see if the
need for personal monitoring is required?
Are
Dosimeter
details/arrangements
available?
Are there details for any arrangements made
for staff members who are pregnant and
details of any precautions that need to be
taken? For example ensuring that the fetus of
a pregnant staff member dose does not
exceed 1mSv during the declared term of
pregnancy.
Are staff aware the they should notify the legal
person as soon as they know they are
pregnant?
If any assistance during radiography is
required, are details listed of the strict
protocols staff should follow? It should also be
made clear that pregnant staff should not be
allowed to assist during radiography.
Are
there
contingency
plans
and
arrangements in place? For example:
o protocols for the continuing exposure
to light indicating that the exposure
has not finished and is continuing
after the set amount of time
o the operator must know how to
immediately isolate the X-ray machine
from the mains and switch it off
o the operator should contact the RPS
and the X-ray machine should not be
used again until an investigation and
any work needed is carried out and
checked
o if an overexposure has occurred, the
operator must inform the RPS and the
RPA consulted for further advice.
Are radiographic malfunction protocols and
procedures in place? These should include:
o details of what to do if a machine is
not working correctly, such as
isolating it from the mains and
marking it as ‘Do not use’
o the correct people are notified if the
machine is not in use
o any details of the incident to be
recorded in an accident book and kept
for the sufficient length of time.

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Are X-ray equipment risk assessments carried
out at regular intervals (usually every 3
years)? Any necessary adjustments should be
made within the time frame given – your RPA
should advise you on this.
Are radiographic quality control systems in
place to ensure the outcome is the required
one? This will include details of quality
assurance in the forms of audits, peer review
etc.
Is the X-ray machine service, maintenance
and repair work carried out by qualified
service engineers?
Is the service report checked to ensure it is
safe to use before doing so? If alterations
have been made, then the RPS should notify
the RPA and get further advice before using
the equipment.
Are there procedures for disposing of
radiographic waste?
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