Measurements of radiation exposure of dentistry students during their radiological training using thermoluminescent dosimetry

• Dose of training dentistry students was estimated with LiF:Mg,Cu,P+PTFE dosimeters.
• The average effective dose of students in the role of patient was also estimated.
• The sum of organ doses from TL measurements is considered as the whole body dose.
• The uncertainty in the results was less than 2%.

Exposure among dentistry students has not been assessed or regulated in Mexico. This work assessed the average exposure of 35 dentistry students during their training with the aid of LiF:Mg,Cu,P+PTFE thermoluminescent dosimeters. For the students in the roles of dentist and observers, maximum accumulated equivalent dose obtained was 2.59±0.11 and 4.64±0.39 mSv, respectively. Students in the role as patients received a maximum accumulated effective dose of 28.41±0.31 mSv. If compared to occupational dose limits, this latter value is 56% of the recommended value of 50 mSv in any year. It was found that in all cases, values of equivalent dose to the women breasts were equal to the background dose. Results are discussed and compared to previous published work. Suggested recommendations were given to authorities in order to minimize exposure of the students in the role as patients.