Quality Improvement (QI) tool for ionising radiation

The Dental Section, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has developed a checklist for the use of Ionising Radiation (X-rays) in Primary Dental Care.

It has been developed with and tested by general dental practitioners (GDPs) and their teams in Wales.

The aims of the checklist are to:

1. Promote good practice in use of ionising radiation
2. Enable practices to comply with national guidance published by the Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP): 
   FGDP X-Ray Book
3. Support practices to meet the requirements of Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) in dental practice inspection

The checklist is designed to be completed by the practice Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS), although he / she should ensure all practice staff are informed about it.

If you require any help completing the checklist, please contact your local QI Dental Educator. Please find the contact details of the QI Dental Educator below:

• Sue Stokes, QI Dental Educator CTMUHB/ABUHB
• Tracey Taylor, QI Dental Educator BCUHB
• Anne Walker, QI Dental Educator HDUHB/BCUHB
• Jane Norgate, QI Dental Educator CVUHB
• Richard Jones, QI Dental Educator PTHB
• Ewart Johnstone, QI Dental Educator SBUHB

Please view the following documents:

Also the following websites:

• The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017: guidance - GOV.UK 
• HSE - Ionising radiation notification
• Explanatory Memorandum to IR(ME)R 2024