New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
He - Department of Health and Human Services
Subtitle He-P - Former Division of Public Health Services
Chapter He-P 4000 - NEW HAMPSHIRE RULES FOR THE CONTROL OF RADIATION
Part He-P 4046 - USE OF RADIATION MACHINES: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL DIAGNOSTIC AND VETERINARY X-RAY SYSTEMS
Section He-P 4046.08 - Dental Intraoral Radiographic Systems

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules He-P 4046.08

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

In addition to the provisions of He-P 4045 and He-P 4046.01, the requirements of this section shall apply to x-ray systems used for dental radiography:

(a) X-ray systems designed for use with an intraoral image receptor shall be provided with means to limit SSD, to not less than:

(1) 18 centimeters if operable above 50 kVp; or

(2) 10 centimeters if operable at 50 kVp only;

(b) X-ray systems designed for use with an intraoral image receptor shall be provided with means to limit the x-ray beam such that the beam at the minimum SSD shall be containable in a circle having a diameter of no more than 7 centimeters;

(1) No radiation exposure shall occur unless initiated by the operator;

(2) It shall not be possible to make an exposure when the timer is set to a "zero" or "off" position is provided;

(3) A visual indication of x-ray production shall be observable by the operator;

(4) An audible signal to the operator shall indicate that the exposure has terminated;

(5) Means shall be provided to terminate the exposure at a preset time interval, preset product of current and time, a preset number of pulses, or a preset radiation exposure to the image receptor;

(6) Exposures can be terminated by the operator at any time, except for exposures of 0.5 second or less;

(7) Termination of an exposure shall cause automatic resetting of the timer to its initial setting or to "zero";

(8) Stationary intraoral systems shall be required to have the x-ray exposure control permanently mounted in a protected area, so that the operator is required to remain in that protected area during the entire exposure;

(9) Mobile intraoral systems which are:

a. Used for greater than one week in the same location, i.e., a room or suite, shall meet the requirements of He-P 4046.08(c) (8) ; or

b. Used for less than one week in the same location shall be provided with either a protective barrier at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) high for operator protection, or means to allow the operator to be at least 2.7 meters (9 feet) from the tube housing assembly while making exposures; and

(10) Hand-held dental intraoral x-ray machines shall not be subject to the requirements of He-P 4046.08(c) (8) and He-P 4046.08(c) (9) ;

(d) When the equipment is operated on an adequate power supply as specified by the manufacturer, the estimated coefficient of variation of radiation exposures shall be no greater than 0.05, for any specific combination of selected technique factors;

(e) Deviation of technique factors from indicated values for kVp and exposure time shall not exceed the limits specified for that system by its manufacturer or in the absence of manufacturer's specifications the deviation shall not exceed 10 percent of the indicated value for kVp and 20 percent for time;

(f) Dental x-ray systems with a nominal fixed kVp of less than 50 kVp shall not be used to make diagnostic dental radiographs of humans; and

(g) The following administrative controls shall be in place:

(1) Patient and image receptor holding devices shall be used when the techniques permit;

(2) Neither the tube housing nor any position indicating device (PID) such as a Rinn kit shall be hand-held during an exposure; and

(3) Dental fluoroscopy without image intensification shall not be used.

#6827, eff 8-6-98; ss by #8692, INTERIM, eff 7-27-06, EXPIRES: 2-2-07; ss by #8808, eff 1-24-07

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